<p>Chikkamagaluru: If things work as planned, tourists visiting Chikkamagaluru district during the year-end this time can experience the beauty of Chikkamagaluru's hills and valleys from the skies.</p><p>The Chikkamagaluru district administration is gearing up to offer heli- tourism services during the year-end so that tourists can enjoy an aerial view of Chikkamagaluru's scenic environment and return home with exciting memories.</p><p>A large number of tourists are expected to visit Chikkamagaluru during the Christmas holidays in the last week of December. The district has over 1,500 registered homestays apart from equally numbered unregistered ones.</p><p>Most of these homestays and resorts have already been booked for the last week of December even as additional enquiries continue pouring in. To offer visitors a unique perspective of the district's environment, the administration has come up with the idea of heli tourism.</p><p>Heli-tourism services with 7-minute and 13-minute rides were offered to people during the Zilla Utsav in January 2023. Tourists flocked to enjoy the aerial view of the hills and valleys. Taking a cue from the response, the administration now plans to introduce heli-tourism for year-end visitors.</p><p><strong>Rides from two locations</strong></p><p>According to officials, heli-tourism could be operational for nine days from December 24 to January 1. Preparations have begun under the guidance of the Tourism Department and arrangements are being made to offer helicopter tours from two locations with a focus on showcasing Chandradrona hills from a new perspective. </p><p>While one route will start near Rani Jhari in Mudigere taluk, another route will provide a view of the Kudremukh mountain ranges.</p><p><strong>Greens concerned</strong></p><p>However, wildlife conservationists have raised concerns as they believe the initiative might disturb wildlife in the area. They argue that the noise of helicopters could affect animals and birds.</p><p>Considering the concerns raised by environmentalists, the district administration has decided to seek the Forest Department's opinion. A letter has been sent to the department requesting their feedback, an official confirmed.</p><p>"Introducing heli-tours for just a week is unlikely to cause significant harm to wildlife. It will offer tourists a special way to explore the district's nature and also benefit tourism," a homestay owner remarked.</p>
<p>Chikkamagaluru: If things work as planned, tourists visiting Chikkamagaluru district during the year-end this time can experience the beauty of Chikkamagaluru's hills and valleys from the skies.</p><p>The Chikkamagaluru district administration is gearing up to offer heli- tourism services during the year-end so that tourists can enjoy an aerial view of Chikkamagaluru's scenic environment and return home with exciting memories.</p><p>A large number of tourists are expected to visit Chikkamagaluru during the Christmas holidays in the last week of December. The district has over 1,500 registered homestays apart from equally numbered unregistered ones.</p><p>Most of these homestays and resorts have already been booked for the last week of December even as additional enquiries continue pouring in. To offer visitors a unique perspective of the district's environment, the administration has come up with the idea of heli tourism.</p><p>Heli-tourism services with 7-minute and 13-minute rides were offered to people during the Zilla Utsav in January 2023. Tourists flocked to enjoy the aerial view of the hills and valleys. Taking a cue from the response, the administration now plans to introduce heli-tourism for year-end visitors.</p><p><strong>Rides from two locations</strong></p><p>According to officials, heli-tourism could be operational for nine days from December 24 to January 1. Preparations have begun under the guidance of the Tourism Department and arrangements are being made to offer helicopter tours from two locations with a focus on showcasing Chandradrona hills from a new perspective. </p><p>While one route will start near Rani Jhari in Mudigere taluk, another route will provide a view of the Kudremukh mountain ranges.</p><p><strong>Greens concerned</strong></p><p>However, wildlife conservationists have raised concerns as they believe the initiative might disturb wildlife in the area. They argue that the noise of helicopters could affect animals and birds.</p><p>Considering the concerns raised by environmentalists, the district administration has decided to seek the Forest Department's opinion. A letter has been sent to the department requesting their feedback, an official confirmed.</p><p>"Introducing heli-tours for just a week is unlikely to cause significant harm to wildlife. It will offer tourists a special way to explore the district's nature and also benefit tourism," a homestay owner remarked.</p>
