BENGALURU: Adopt Tourist Destination, an initiative by the Department of Tourism, is taking off slowly but steadily. Of 46 tourist places that were identified in the first phase, six have already been adopted and many more corporate companies are coming forward to adopt the rest.
In 2015, Karnataka Tourism Department had put up a list of 46 tourist destinations that were up for adoption.
The places included Badami-Pattadakal in Bagalkot, Cubbon Park-Lalbagh in Bengaluru, Hampi at Ballari, Gol Gumbaz in Vijayapura, Nandi Hills at Chikkaballapur, Kemmanugundi in Chikkamagaluru, Belur-Halebeedu and Shravanabelagola in Hassan, Brindavan Gardens and Srirangapatna in Mandya, Malpe beach in Udupi and Murudeshwara in Uttara Kannada.
The Companies
According to the document available with Express, Sandur Manganese Iron Ore Limited adopted Ranganthittu and has done work on toilet blocks and upgradation of the interpretation centre. They are also providing cycles for differently abled people.
Tasveer Foundation and Jindal Foundation adopted Venkatappa Art Gallery and Bengaluru museum and have submitted their master plan.
The works are expected to start soon.
Under their corporate social responsibility programme, Bangalore Chambers of Industry and Commerce adopted Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.
The development works to provide better facilities for visitiors will commence soon. West Coast Paper Mills Limited, which adopted Kavala Caves, has put up signages.
Development works are being planned in association with the forest department.
Cafe Coffee Day has adopted Belur-Halebid. The Archaeological Survey of India and Coffee Day authorities have conducted a joint survey and work is expected to begin soon.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with six corporate companies which adopted some of the places. Three more companies have come forward to adopt a few more places. Talks are on. We will seek more corporates that will adopt tourist destinations,” Sathyavathi, Director, Department of Tourism told Express.