Karnataka - Bellary   

Bellary's tourism potential lying untapped

Staff Correspondent

The only programme planned for World Tourism Day was a get-together of tourist guides

BELLARY: World Tourism Day has proved to be a non-event in Bellary district, where the world heritage site of Hampi is situated.

This is despite the fact that the tourism portfolio is held by B. Sriramulu, who hails from the district. Mr. Sriramulu, who was Minister in charge of the district, recently gave up the post to M.P. Prakash, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs. It is not only Hampi which has put Bellary on the country's tourist map.

The district is home to many sites of heritage, cultural, religious and historical value. But the potential is lying more or less untapped because of the "apathy" of the Department of Tourism.

In Sandur taluk alone, there are several places that can promote eco-tourism and adventure sports. In Ubbalagundi village, there are rocky hills identical to those at Yana in Uttara Kannada district. Not many know about the attraction it holds for nature lovers and adventure sports buffs.

Arrangements can be made here for rock climbing and trekking.

The district unit of National Organisation for Promotion of Adventure Sports and Nature (NOPASANA) has been organising adventure sports activities for small groups now and then.

The only programme planned for World Tourism Day here was a get-together of tourist guides in the evening by the Assistant Director of Tourism at Hospet.

Barring a daily sight seeing trip organised depending on the availability of the sufficient number of tourists, no worthwhile activity is being undertaken. The bear sanctuary, described as the biggest

in Asia do not find place in the sight-seeing itinerary organised by the department.

"The department could have grabbed the World Tourism Day as an opportunity to expose the tremendous tourist potential in the district," said S.S. Chandrashekar, a cultural activist in Hospet.

"We can organise five-day camps t promote adventure and water sports, and trekking in Sandur, Hampi and a few other places. This is the only district in the entire North Karnataka region with a lot of potential. ," Shakeeb of NOPASANA said.

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Bellary's tourism potential lying untapped

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