Mysuru: Mysuru will have another spot for water sports adventure activity in the surroundings of the Kabini reservoir.Tourism minister HK Patil, responding to a query by HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu, informed the assembly that the govt has plans to utilise the backwaters of Kabini reservoir to promote water sports and is awaiting the green signal from the concerned departments.The govt in its budget announced plans to develop water sports and adventure tourism in the backwaters of major state reservoirs and coastal areas through public-private partnerships. Accordingly, the govt, in its order, approved the development of water sports and tourism in 18 reservoirs and 10 coastal areas in a public-private partnership model.For the development of water sports and adventure tourism at Kabini reservoir, the minister informed the house that 3 acres and 18 guntas of land in survey number 70 of Nishana village, Antarasante Hobli, Heggadadevanakote Taluk, and one acre each in survey numbers 14 and 20 of Beechanahalli village in the backwaters of Kabini reservoir have been identified under the proposed plan.After obtaining a no-objection certificate from the water resources department and the forest department, Jungle Lodges and Resorts Limited will undertake the development of water sports and adventure tourism.Anil Chikkamadu is the chairman of JLR.The minister also stated that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways of the Union govt, identified 12 potential national waterways for river cruise tourism development in Karnataka. Among these, an MoU was signed with IWAI the previous year to develop river cruises along the banks of the Kapila River. The authority proposed constructing a floating jetty. Additionally, the necessary infrastructure will be developed by the Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL) with an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore from the tourism department’s funds, pending govt review.To develop the project, tenders will be issued to private parties under the rules of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act.
