Karnataka Tourism Dept. to soon launch waterfall tours
'We have some hidden gems in our tourist destinations, including nature trails and waterfalls apart from the already well-known ones like Jog Falls and Gokak Falls. We have already identified such destinations, and we want to create a circuit around the same,' K.V. Rajendra, director, Tourism Department and managing director of KSTDC told The Hindu.
The destinations have been identified in the districts of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Kodagu, and Belagavi. Tourists can choose to either integrate these destinations into the already existing packages of KSTDC or get a customised waterfalls itinerary.
Those who would like to travel in bigger groups can utilise KSTDC buses for these tours. The services of local guides and naturalists will also be included in the packages.
While there is currently no direct option available to book the tours, interested travellers can book them by sending an email found on the enquiry section of KSTDC website, officials said.
Weather caused delay
The officials of the Tourism Department said that many who tried to explore unknown destinations during this year's monsoon got stuck in remote areas as weather conditions worsened.
'We decided to postpone the launch of these tours while we wait for the intensity of monsoons to reduce. Places like Dakshina Kannada and Sakleshpura in Hassan district are prone to landslides, and it will be dangerous to travel during those times. Our goal is to promote responsible tourism and ensure the safety of tourists,' Mr. Rajendra said.
'The destinations we have selected will have an after-rain effect in the upcoming months, providing beautiful scenery to tourists. Our waterfalls are usually full until December–January. That is why we did not want to conduct the tours at a time when the monsoon is heavy, nor during times when the water bodies are dry,' he noted.
KSTDC currently conducts similar tours to popular destinations. This includes the Krishnagiri Dam – Hogenakkal Falls Tour, Shivanasamudra – Talakadu and Sigandhur – Jog Falls Tour.
Online vehicular slots
To regulate the number of visitors and vehicles that ply in the area around Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, located in Chikkamagaluru district, the district administration will introduce an online vehicular slot system in the upcoming week. Although the system was announced last year, it will be launched in a few days.
A total of 1,200 vehicles will be allowed in two slots (600 vehicles in each slot) — 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day, for which prior booking has to be made online. The parking facilities for these vehicles will be provided near Seethalayyanagiri, and from there, those who wish to proceed to the peak can take pre-approved vehicles or go on foot.
'If this model works, then we will replicate it in all the other hill stations that come under the Tourism Department, including Nandi Hills,' said Salma Fahim, principal secretary, Tourism Department.
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To encourage responsible and safe monsoon tourism, the State Department of Tourism and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) plans to curate 'waterfalls tour' packages. While the tours were initially planned to be launched in July, due to the high intensity of monsoon, it is likely to be launched by the end of August or beginning of September. 'We have some hidden gems in our tourist destinations, including nature trails and waterfalls apart from the already well-known ones like Jog Falls and Gokak Falls. We have already identified such destinations, and we want to create a circuit around the same,' K.V. Rajendra, director, Tourism Department and managing director of KSTDC told The Hindu. The destinations have been identified in the districts of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Kodagu, and Belagavi. Tourists can choose to either integrate these destinations into the already existing packages of KSTDC or get a customised waterfalls itinerary. Those who would like to travel in bigger groups can utilise KSTDC buses for these tours. The services of local guides and naturalists will also be included in the packages. While there is currently no direct option available to book the tours, interested travellers can book them by sending an email found on the enquiry section of KSTDC website, officials said. Weather caused delay The officials of the Tourism Department said that many who tried to explore unknown destinations during this year's monsoon got stuck in remote areas as weather conditions worsened. 'We decided to postpone the launch of these tours while we wait for the intensity of monsoons to reduce. Places like Dakshina Kannada and Sakleshpura in Hassan district are prone to landslides, and it will be dangerous to travel during those times. Our goal is to promote responsible tourism and ensure the safety of tourists,' Mr. Rajendra said. 'The destinations we have selected will have an after-rain effect in the upcoming months, providing beautiful scenery to tourists. Our waterfalls are usually full until December–January. That is why we did not want to conduct the tours at a time when the monsoon is heavy, nor during times when the water bodies are dry,' he noted. KSTDC currently conducts similar tours to popular destinations. This includes the Krishnagiri Dam – Hogenakkal Falls Tour, Shivanasamudra – Talakadu and Sigandhur – Jog Falls Tour. Online vehicular slots To regulate the number of visitors and vehicles that ply in the area around Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, located in Chikkamagaluru district, the district administration will introduce an online vehicular slot system in the upcoming week. Although the system was announced last year, it will be launched in a few days. A total of 1,200 vehicles will be allowed in two slots (600 vehicles in each slot) — 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day, for which prior booking has to be made online. The parking facilities for these vehicles will be provided near Seethalayyanagiri, and from there, those who wish to proceed to the peak can take pre-approved vehicles or go on foot. 'If this model works, then we will replicate it in all the other hill stations that come under the Tourism Department, including Nandi Hills,' said Salma Fahim, principal secretary, Tourism Department.
