Karnataka Budget: CM earmarks Rs 150 crore for eco-tourism and revival of ancient water supply system

While the CM earmarked Rs 100 crore for the development of the Anjanadri Hill in Koppal, he set aside Rs 15 crore to revive the ancient water supply system— ‘karez’ in Bidar and Vijayapura districts.

Bengaluru: Aiming to attract more tourists and investors, the state government will soon revise the Karnataka tourism policy to chalk out a blueprint for 2024-29, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Friday in the state Assembly.

At present the tourism department is working according to the blueprint put out in the Karnataka Tourism Police 2020-25.

The chief minister also earmarked Rs 100 crore for the development of the Anjanadri Hill in Koppal, the fabled birthplace of Lord Hanuman.

Though the project was announced during the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government, Congress claimed that only Rs 10 crore was released so far for the project. The government has also earmarked Rs 15 crore to revive the ancient water supply system— ‘karez’ in Bidar and Vijayapura districts.

Another Rs 25 crore has been set aside to set up interpretation centres at Bandipur, Dandeli, and Kabini to promote eco-tourism. The government is also trying to revive the old projects by setting up cable car or ropeway facilities in ten major tourist spots under Public Private Partnership.

New programmes to promote adventure tourism, water sports, and coastal tourism are also being planned, Siddaramaiah said. That apart, the government is also planning to write to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) requesting them to take up research and restoration of archaeological monuments and remains at the first university of Karnataka that was established at Nagavi, Kalaburagi district during the times of Rashtrakutas.

A well-furnished hotel at Aihole of Bagalakot district and the development of Roerich and Devika Rani Estate area is also on the plans, Siddaramaiah said.