Adventure buffs can soon look forward to zip-line rides across the Cauvery at Chunchanakatte in a move planned to give adventure sports and tourism a boost in the region.
The Tourism Department has identified Chunchanakatte waterfalls near K.R. Nagar as ideal for zip-lining. The works may begin after the current monsoon season and an installation of zip-lines will take a minimum of three months. Zip-line rides are offered in many places in Karnataka but authorities believe that the Chunchankatte facility has good potential to tap tourists given its proximity to Mysuru.
H.P. Janardhan, Assistant Director of Tourism, told The Hindu that the site for establishing the pillars and decks on either side have been identified and the detailed project report and technical aspects are being worked out. “We are confident of making it operational by December,” said Mr. Janardhan.
“We are planning a twin zip-line and the distance to be traversed from one side to the other will be 400 meters and the return line will span a distance of 300 metres,” according to Mr. Janardhan
Once installed, the zip-line across the Cauvery will rival similar facilities offered by private players in Uttarkhand and other places as the terrain is exhilarating when the river is in full flow. The Cauvery meanders and plunges from a height of about 20 meters and flows amidst the rocky terrain that makes Chunchankatte not only attractive but also dangerous during rains.
The Tourism Department has secured two acres of land where a yatri nivas with a cafeteria has been planned and the area will be landscaped.
Adventure sports centre
Meanwhile, the State Government’s proposal to establish an adventure sports centre in Mysuru to promote the city as a hub for adventure activities remains an expression of intent on paper having made no progress on the ground. Though a few private initiatives are filling up the lacunae, a full-fledged training centre for adventure sports mooted for Mysuru has been grounded due to lack of land.
Suresh, Assistant Director, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, said they were surveying the region on the outskirts of the city and though there was a delay, the government was serious about establishing a permanent centre which will also train people in various adventure sports, he added.
The focus will be on water sports for which Mysuru and surrounding areas were ideally located given natural terrain and waterbodies including those in the neighbouring districts of Mandya such as the KRS backwaters, Nugu backwaters and Tonnurkere close to Melukote. Meanwhile, water sports at Varuna being offered by a private enterprise – Outback Adventures – in a low key manner, was expected to be scaled up from September.
