JOIN USChikmagalur is the land of five rivers. Though rivers like Hemavathi, Netravathi, Thunga, Bhadra and Seetha takes its birth in the district, they have not been the lifeline of the district. However, water bodies like Madagadakere, Devanakere, Ayyanakere and Bukkasagara Kere have been the lifeline of the people of plateau region.
Barring Kemmannugundi and Kalhathigiri, there are no tourist spots in Kadur and Tarikere taluks. To help the citizens to spend their weekends, boating facility has been introduced at Devanakere in Birur by B Kodihalli resident Pradeep.
With bountiful rain, Madagadakere is full to the brim and has supplied water to other water bodies connected to it.
Devanakere comes under minor irrigation department in Birur. The breathtaking view of the kere when it fills has not been utilised to pomote tourism so far. Boating facility has been started on a pilot basis.
“It was my dream to start boating facilities in a waterbody in Birur. Hence I ventured into this field. It will help the residents to enjoy a boat ride. The kere spreads over 2 km. There is no hindrance for the boating facilities. I want to continue boating facility as long as waterbody is filled. For the boating facility, I have brought one boat and a bike for lease for a period of six months from Murdeshwar. Even bike rider Shivaraj Asooti has come from Goa. There are enough life jackets for the safety of the people.
To take up boating facility legally, I have applied for license from the minor irrigation and tourism department. The approval is likely to be received in a week.
Once we get the approval, boating from Kodi to B Kodihalli will commence in a full-fledged manner.