Dist administration plans big boost for water tourism at Janivara Lake

The visitors to Shravanabelagola, during Mahamastakabisheka, scheduled to be held in February 2018, have another reason to cheer. The district administration is preparing to organise water adventure sports at Janivara Lake in Shravanabelagola.

The district administration has prepared an action plan for Rs 5 crore and the authorities will erect a fence, compound and also, take up road extension works, besides providing other necessary facilities near the lake.

Sports events such as boating, kayaking, bumpy ride, banana boat ride, power boat ride, jet key, paddling boat, plane water rafting are a few among the events planned. The state government has released Rs 50 lakh in the first phase and the district administration has paid Rs 25 lakh to the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) to take up the works.

The lake, which is located on Channarayapatna and Shravanabelagola Road, spreads across 735 acres and the sports events will be organised on 355 acres of it.

Tourist hub

Lakhs of devotees visit Shravanabelagola during Mahamastakabhisheka and the place is also a tourists hot spot. Hundreds of people visit the place round the year.

The lake is a major source of water for the neighbouring villages and is filled with weeds. The villagers use the water to wash clothes and also cattle. They are also dependent on the lake for drinking water needs.

Mahamastakabhisheka Special Officer B N Varaprasad Reddy said, "District in-charge Minister A Manju and Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri have taken an initiative for the sports events at the lake. The district administration has earmarked Rs 37 lakh to take up cleaning works. Discussion with the organisers is under progress and there are plans for permanent water adventure sports."