Madikeri: Stakeholders in the tourism sector will hold a clean-up drive across Kodagu under Swachh Abhiyan on Monday, focusing on temples, tourist places, and district and taluk centres.The decision was taken during a meeting presided over by assistant commissioner Nitin Chakki, who is the in-charge deputy director of tourism.It was decided to emphasise cleanliness at tourist places and pilgrim centres at the district and taluk levels.The cleanliness drive will be taken up at noted holy places, including Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Chelavara Falls, Abbi Falls, as well as Madikeri’s Omkareshwar Temple, Nalknad Palace, King’s Tombs, Raja Seat, and Madikeri Fort.Dubare River Rafting, Cauvery Nisargadhama, Harangi reservoir, Harangi Park, Elephant Camp, Backwater adventure sports places, and Chikli Hole in Kushalnagar taluk were identified for cleaning. Honnamma lake, Makkala Gudi Betta, Kote Betta, Surlabbi Waterfall, and Mallalli Waterfall in Somwarpet taluk will also be included in the drive. Cleanliness drives were also planned at Barapole River Rafting and Irpu Waterfalls in Ponnampet taluk.Nitin Chakki said that the cleanliness drive was organised with the cooperation of many people, including govt and non-govt organisations, in the name of Swacha and Sundara Kodagu, and appealed to everyone to join hands at the local level.Dinesh Cariappa, president of Kodagu Hotel and Resort Association, Monthi Ganesh, president of Homestay Association, Vasantha, president of Tour and Travel Association, and Nagendra Prasad, president of Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce, gave suggestions at the meeting held on Friday.Tahsildar Sridhar, FMC College principal Raghava, Dubare River Rafting Association president Uthappa, tourism department consultant Jathin, chief officers of local bodies, panchayat development officers, principals of various colleges, executive officers of various temples, and others were present.
