If all goes well, the city of palaces may have an added recreation centre in Varuna lake on Mysore-T Narsipur road on the outskirts, with Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNN) planning to introduce boating at the lake.
The lake, around 10 km from the central business district and converted into a temporary hub of water sports during Naada Habba Dasara from the past two years, is set to become a permanent attraction for nature lovers. Naada Habba is just three months away and this initiative of the nigam is timely.
Sources told Deccan Herald, tenders have been invited from the interested agencies to run the facility. If it becomes a reality, the lake will be the second such place after Karanji lake, where boating is nearly a year old.
When compared to Karanji, though situated in the heart of the city, but off the road on Lalitha Mahal road, Varuna abuts the main road already making it a visual treat. Water or no water, grazing cattle on the vast expanse and birds of types enrich the beauty of the water body.
By introducing boating, it may sure beckon others to savour the nature aboard boat.
The credit of introducing boating goes to Kukkarahalli lake several decades ago.
However, owing to fear of crocodiles in the lake, boating for public was suspended later. Now, it’s only for the training of NCC cadets in navy wing.
To ensure safety of lives, the authorities have pondered over the pros and cons before deciding on the terms and conditions to launch the ride.
The boating idea follows a requisition from the exclusive parties. Though the expression of interest is invited, the authorities have left it to the prerogative of the agencies to decide — whether to offer the facility throughout the year or during seasons depending on the availability of water.
Water level
Still, water in the lake is not a problem, as the authorities maintain dead storage accounting for 30 to 35 pc of water in the lake to feed the livestock.
The city being a tourist hub, another boating point will sure infuse a new lease of life into the water body. Another oldest boating point in the region is, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in neighbouring Srirangapatna taluk.
The Varuna lake is also a lifeline for the farmers in the immediate vicinity. The water let out from the down stream of the canal by the same name- Varuna canal caters to dual crops of the region.
Of late, the pristine environs of the lake is also attracting film crews, especially from our own Sandalwood.