<p>Sericulture and Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh said he has spoken to Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar to give a new look to the Brindavan Gardens on the premises of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Speaking to reporters during an interaction organised by Mysuru District Journalists Association here on Friday, he said, there has been no positive changes in the design, form and structure of the garden, a major tourist attraction of the region over the past several decades. “The same gardens and fountains exist since the days of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. The only addition has been the musical fountain. At least now, the garden and its form should be redesigned and renovated for a refreshing look for a memorable experience for tourists,” he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Besides the taking over of the Lalitha Mahal Palace by the Jungle Lodges and Resorts from the Indian Tourism Development Corporation, the state Tourism department has reclaimed over 17 acres of land in Ooty where a hotel will be built. “The Dasara Exhibition Grounds will be developed at a cost of Rs 150 crore to keep it open throughout the year. Illumination of the Palace on all days is being explored. As per experts, occupancy of a single room provides jobs directly or indirectly to 15 persons in a tourist place like Mysuru. So, even Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is laying stress on the tourism sector for creating jobs for the youth,” he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Nearly 40 lakh tourists visit Mysuru annually. But, most of them come on a day trip and do not stay in the city as they do not see beyond Mysuru Palace, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and Brindavan Gardens. Talks are on with all stakeholders to encourage tourists to stay for a day or two. Over the years, there have been plenty of plans for the development of the tourism sector but hardly any of them have been implemented. Now, the stress will be on execution of the plans,” Mahesh said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Training for guides</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Stress will be laid on providing basic needs like drinking water facility, urinals and toilets in all tourist places across the state. The behaviour of the stakeholders with tourists matters the most. There are around 600 registered tourist guides in the state. Some of them can speak five languages. Such talented and senior guides will be sent to foreign nations for further training in behaving with tourists. When they come back, they will be used to train the remaining guides,” he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Tents</p>.<p class="bodytext">The minister said that on the lands available on the Lalitha Mahal premises, tents will be put up to be rented out to tourists to give them a new experience. “In view of ensuring seamless movement of tourists in the city and surroundings, signboards that will gel with the heritage character of Mysuru would be installed at vantage points. The Rajapatha, around the Mysuru Palace and from Ramaswamy Circle up to Bannimaptapa, which is almost complete, will be made heritage compliant and maintenance-free,” he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Dasara preparations</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahesh said preparations for Dasara is becoming a problem every year and hence a committee meeting, headed by the chief minister, will be held during the coming session of the Assembly. “Steps are afoot to setup a permanent Dasara Authority for streamlining the preparations. Open buses will be introduced for the convenience of tourists in Mysuru city. More tourist packages will be introduced before Dasara. The Golden Chariot will be renovated and pressed into service before Dasara,” he said.</p>
<p>Sericulture and Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh said he has spoken to Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar to give a new look to the Brindavan Gardens on the premises of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Speaking to reporters during an interaction organised by Mysuru District Journalists Association here on Friday, he said, there has been no positive changes in the design, form and structure of the garden, a major tourist attraction of the region over the past several decades. “The same gardens and fountains exist since the days of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. The only addition has been the musical fountain. At least now, the garden and its form should be redesigned and renovated for a refreshing look for a memorable experience for tourists,” he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Besides the taking over of the Lalitha Mahal Palace by the Jungle Lodges and Resorts from the Indian Tourism Development Corporation, the state Tourism department has reclaimed over 17 acres of land in Ooty where a hotel will be built. “The Dasara Exhibition Grounds will be developed at a cost of Rs 150 crore to keep it open throughout the year. Illumination of the Palace on all days is being explored. As per experts, occupancy of a single room provides jobs directly or indirectly to 15 persons in a tourist place like Mysuru. So, even Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is laying stress on the tourism sector for creating jobs for the youth,” he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Nearly 40 lakh tourists visit Mysuru annually. But, most of them come on a day trip and do not stay in the city as they do not see beyond Mysuru Palace, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and Brindavan Gardens. Talks are on with all stakeholders to encourage tourists to stay for a day or two. Over the years, there have been plenty of plans for the development of the tourism sector but hardly any of them have been implemented. Now, the stress will be on execution of the plans,” Mahesh said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Training for guides</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Stress will be laid on providing basic needs like drinking water facility, urinals and toilets in all tourist places across the state. The behaviour of the stakeholders with tourists matters the most. There are around 600 registered tourist guides in the state. Some of them can speak five languages. Such talented and senior guides will be sent to foreign nations for further training in behaving with tourists. When they come back, they will be used to train the remaining guides,” he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Tents</p>.<p class="bodytext">The minister said that on the lands available on the Lalitha Mahal premises, tents will be put up to be rented out to tourists to give them a new experience. “In view of ensuring seamless movement of tourists in the city and surroundings, signboards that will gel with the heritage character of Mysuru would be installed at vantage points. The Rajapatha, around the Mysuru Palace and from Ramaswamy Circle up to Bannimaptapa, which is almost complete, will be made heritage compliant and maintenance-free,” he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Dasara preparations</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mahesh said preparations for Dasara is becoming a problem every year and hence a committee meeting, headed by the chief minister, will be held during the coming session of the Assembly. “Steps are afoot to setup a permanent Dasara Authority for streamlining the preparations. Open buses will be introduced for the convenience of tourists in Mysuru city. More tourist packages will be introduced before Dasara. The Golden Chariot will be renovated and pressed into service before Dasara,” he said.</p>