C'nagar tiger reserves, temples big draw for Dasara tourists

Mysuru: Chamarajanagar district home to 50% of the region's forest cover and tiger reserves saw a surge in tourists during Dasara season.

The district's improved vegetation, lush greenery, and abundant rainfall not only attracted tourists, but also created a healthier environment for wildlife over the past few months.

A larger number of visitors thronged famous pilgrim centres of the district like the Male Mahadeshwara Temple in MM Hills in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district, Bylur Tibetan camp in Kollegal, Hogenakkal Waterfalls, Bharachukki Waterfalls, Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple, K Gudi, PG Palya, and Bandipur Wildlife Safari during the festivities.

Apart from domestic visitors, including people from Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysuru, and other adjoining districts, tourists from neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala visited the tourist spots to enjoy the scenic beauty of the green forests.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also visited the BR Hills temple in Yelandur taluk in the first week of this month along with his family members.

The heavy footfall of tourists not only boosted tourism in the district, which was jolted by drought, Covid, and other reasons in previous years, but resorts, jungle lodges, and hotels also did brisk business this year, said Mahadevaswamy of Hangala village in Gundlupet taluk to TOI.

Speaking to TOI, Bandipur Tiger Reserve director S Prabhakaran said that two safari centres witnessed a heavy rush during this month (October), unlike the previous month, following the Dasara celebrations in Mysuru.

Thick vegetation brings cheer to animals

The improvement in the growth of vegetation due to heavy rain that the tiger reserve received over the last few months not only relieved the department staff from forest fires, but also brought cheer to wild animals, easing both fodder and drinking water problems until next year. All the 415 lakes in Bandipur and minor ponds spread over 905 sqkm are filled with water this year.

The efforts of the officials in desilting over 40 lakes during the summer season yielded good results this year. The revenue generated from tourists' footfall will be utilised for the empowerment of local tribal communities living in more than 131 tribal settlements in the jungles in the periphery of Bandipur.

BRT Tiger Reserve director Sripathy said that K Gudi Jungle Safari witnessed heavy tourists flow this month.