MLC M C Nanaiah has demanded the district administration and the government to hand over the complete operation of river rafting in Cauvery river at Dubare to the government owned Jungle Lodges.

In the letters written to Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari and State government Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, he has requested to stop the dangerous rafting and harassment of tourists in Dubare. Permission has been granted by the forest department, tourism department and port and inland department to operate six boats for rafting purpose in Dubare. However, over 30 boats are operating here illegally.

“I have visited the place twice and have witnessed the illegal river rafting taking place in Cauvery river in Dubare. The permission given to private firms for operating this dangerous and adventurous sports has to be withdrawn immediately and hand over the operation to government owned Jungle Lodges for the safety of tourists,” he has said.

Further, he has mentioned that there is an unhealthy competition between the private water sports operators. Lack of safety equipment is another cause of concern.

Thus it will be a good decision to hand over the responsibility to Jungle Lodges, Nanaiah has said.

He has requested the DC to take a decision after discussing with the secretaries of the forest and tourism department.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS – July 30th, 2014