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The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KRV protest against Hidkal dam water diversion
Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike ( Narayana Gowda ), held a protest in Belagavi on Friday, against the State government's decision to divert Ghataprabha river waters from Hidkal dam in Belagavi to the industrial area in Dharwad. Bare chested activists and women carrying empty pots marched from Channamma circle to the Deputy Commissioner's office. Protesters, holding the red-yellow Kannada flag, raised slogans against the State government. They formed a human chain at the circle and stopped traffic for some time. They tried to forcefully enter the Deputy Commissioner's office by climbing over barricades. But the police stopped them. Later, protestors submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan. They accused the State government of favouring rich industrialists over poor farmers. The State government has allowed industries to draw 45 million litres per day from the Hidkal dam. This is like sucking out our life blood, said Deepak Gudaganatti, district president who led the protest. He demanded that the government withdraw the approval for water diversion immediately. He also warned that the State government and the district administration would be responsible if anything went wrong, as the issue was very sensitive. 'The state government should not play with fire,' he said. 'If the government wants to promote industries, let them do it in Belagavi district alone. It should not spend tax payers' money of ₹350 crore in laying pipelines for 125 km from Hidkal to Dharwad,' he said. 'Considering the haste and the manner in which the water diversion project is being implemented, we are suspicious of the motives behind it. Initially, the work of laying the pipeline commenced without any approval. Even the district in charge Minister and district administration officers were unaware of the project. It only came to light after farmers started opposing the pipeline work. It was stopped for some time after the district administration intervened. But the State government has started the work again, under pressure from vested interests. We suspect invisible forces behind this,' he said. He threatened to intensify the protest if the work was not stopped immediately. He said that the water resources of Belagavi were being diverted for the welfare of twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad. 'Already, they are taking water from the Malaprabha. Now, they want water from Ghataprabha also. This is unacceptable,' he said. Leaders like Balu Jadagi, Ganesh Rokade, Suresh Gavannavar, Satish Gudadavar, Prakash Lamani, and Manjunath Rathod were present.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KRV to protest against water diversion from Hidkal to Dharwad
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayana Gowda) members have threatened to organise a mass protest against the diversion of Ghataprabha river water from Hidkal dam to the industrial area in Dharwad in Belagavi on Friday. Our activists will lay siege to the Deputy Commissioner's office in Belagavi on Friday, Deepak Gudaganatti, KRV(N) district president, told reporters in Belagavi on Thursday. He said that the State government's decision to divert Hidkal dam waters to Dharwad was an unjust move. It snatches away much needed water from the farms of Belagavi to the industrial area in far away Dharwad. 'Does the State government know what is the priority for our society- is it food or industrial production? The Hidkal dam was built primarily for irrigation. Why should we spare precious water to industrial area?' he questioned. 'The State government has argued that creating pro-industrial infrastructure is its responsibility. Our question to the State government is why not allow establishment of industries in Belagavi district itself? Why carry water from Belagavi all the way to Dharwad? The tax payer is made to pay for the 125 km pipeline from Hidkal to Dharwad that is being laid at the cost of ₹350 crore. This is meaningless,' he said. 'A few months ago, officials stopped the work of laying a pipeline from Hidkal to Dharwad after farmers' associations and Kannada organisations opposed it. We were all part of the `Our Water Our Right' agitation. But it has started again as the State government has allowed it. Already, the twin cities of Hubballi Dharwad are getting water from the Renuka Sagar dam on the Malaprabha. They are drawing nearly six tmc ft. of water from the dam whose impounding capacity is around 37 tmc ft. Any move to draw additional water will be strongly resisted,' Mr. Gudaganatti said. 'Belagavi city gets drinking water supply from Hidkal. During summer months, the people of Belagavi suffer water scarcity. Drinking water is also being supplied to the people of Bagalkot from the Hidkal reservoir. I call upon the people of Bagalkot to protest against this diversion,' he said. He suspected that a powerful politician from Belagavi was behind the State government's decision to divert water to Dharwad. He alleged that the some political leaders had obtained a clearance for the project without bringing it to the notice of the Irrigation Consultative Committee of the dam in Belagavi, which is headed by local legislators. Meanwhile, Ashok Chandargi, convenor of the central committee of Kannada organisations wrote a letter to the Chief Minister expressing its opposition to the plan. He has warned of a district wide protest against the drawing of Hidkal waters towards Dharwad. Suresh Gavanavar, State convenor, said that they would take up a legal battle against the State government if it goes ahead with the project. 'We will also fight on the streets,' he said. He demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah intervene in the matter and suspend the water pipeline work.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Mysuru struggles to attract foreign tourists amid strong domestic turnout
Known to be a destination for all seasons, Mysuru's quest to boost international tourist footfall has not been successful, though it continues to be among the more popular tourist places for domestic travellers. In the financial year 2024-25, the Mysuru palace recorded 39,35,108 visitors, of which only 44,909 were from abroad, which is just 1.14% of the total tourist traffic. In 2023-24, out of 40,56,975 tourists, merely 34,606 (0.85%) were foreign nationals. The year before, the number of foreign tourists was 23,168 out of 33,92,274 total visitors, and the percentage of foreign tourists was a mere 0.68%. While the percentage of foreign tourists visiting Mysuru in 2024-25 is slightly higher, the difference is marginal compared to the previous years. Stakeholders say the figures are glaringly disproportionate when compared to the city's potential, which has yet to be tapped. C. Narayana Gowda, president of the Hotel Owners' Association, said that the need of the hour was to market Mysuru and blamed the government for not doing enough on this front. The hospitality sector has pinned its hope on the increase in the footfall of foreign tourists visiting Mysuru, as they tend to stay longer than domestic travellers and spend more. But the trend of low footfall of foreign tourists is showing little signs of reversing. Mr. Narayana Gowda said almost 70% of the domestic tourists are those with a 'same-day return' itinerary chalked out before coming to Mysuru. 'We get a majority of tourists from Bengaluru and Kerala. While those from Bengaluru prefer to return to the capital, tourists from Kerala travelling in groups tend to spend only a day in Mysuru, before heading for the next destination as per their tour plan,' he added. An analysis of the last 15 years of data indicates that foreign tourists have constituted less than 2% of the total visitors to Mysuru, raising questions about the city's positioning on the global tourist map. Other stakeholders have called for greater marketing of destinations in Mysuru that are frequented by foreigners, like in Kerala or Rajasthan, apart from promotion in international travel marts. Besides, they have called for strong promotion of the Belur-Halebidu-Somanthpur, which are now recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. While Mysuru may be a household name among Indian travellers, failure to lure international tourists means not realising the full economic potential of tourism. This is reckoned to be inexplicable as Mysuru is rooted in history, tradition, wildlife (Bandipur-Nagarahole-Ranganathittu), Yoga, etc., and can provide the kind of experiences that international travellers seek. Notwithstanding the potential, stakeholders believe Mysuru continues to be held back by weak global marketing, inadequate high-end or luxury infrastructure, and a lack of international connectivity, from emerging as a major international tourist centre.
