Measures to protect tourists at Mallalli waterfalls

After 11 lives were claimed at Mallalli falls near Somwarpet, the Kodagu district administration has taken up protective measures at the tourist spot.

Like other falls in the district, Mallalli falls is now in its full splendour. Over the years, the place has been a favourite destination for tourists visiting Kodagu during vacations.

Mallalli falls, cascading from a height of around 150 foot in Bettadalli Gram Panchayat jurisdiction, attracts tourists during monsoon.

The falls is situated at a distance of three kilometres from Hanchinalli village, on the way from Shanthalli to Pushpagiri.

In spite of being one of the tourist destinations, the spot lacks basic facilities, including the toilet facilities,
due to the apathy of the department.

So far, a total of 11 tourists, who visited the falls, have lost their lives, as there were no protective measures on the spot. Some tourists have been creating a nuisance by misbehaving and littering waste in the spot, it is said.

After some local residents staged a protest and urged the district administration to take proper measures for the protection of tourists, the district administration has installed iron rods and grills near the falls.

Prashant, a tourist from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, said that there are no information signboards or warning boards at the spot. But the Gram Panchayat collects a hefty entrance fee from tourists, he charged.

Taluk Panchayat former president K M Lokesh urged the Tourism Department to develop the Mallalli falls by into a tourist place, by providing basic facilities, such as drinking water and toilets for tourists. Also, necessary staff should be deployed at the spot for protection, he said.