Karnataka’s Tourism Policy 2024-29 has come into effect this year, declaring 101 tourist destinations in Belagavi district. Despite leading in the number of listed sites, the border district continues to trail in tourism development.
Until 2024, 98 spots had been identified by the Tourism Department. This year, three more have been added: Trikuteshwar Jain Basadi (Kallagudi) in Vakkunda of Bailahongala taluk, Rajwade in Raybag, and Kalika Bhuvaneshwar Temple in Koligudda of Raybag taluk.
Tourist footfall has seen a decline; 3,50,37,186 visitors in 2023 dropped to 3,09,55,041 in 2024. The majority of tourists head to Yallamma Devi Temple in Savadatti, Satyamman Temple in Jogulabavi, and Mayakkadevi Temple in Chinchali, Raybag taluk.
Other popular attractions include Gokak Falls, Godachinamalki Falls, Kittur Fort, Rayanna’s Tomb at Nandagarh in Khanapura, Kittur Rani Channamma Zoo at Bhutaramanahatti in Belagavi taluk, along with the waterfalls at Sogala and Khanapura. Most other sites, however, continue to draw limited crowds.
Tourism circuits in pipeline
“We are planning a circuit covering Gokak Falls, Godachinamalki Falls, Dhupadala Bird Sanctuary, Yogkhova, Arabhavimath, and Hidkal Reservoir, and another including Kakati, Kittur, Bailahongala, Sangolli, and Nandagarh,” said Tourism Deputy Director Sadashiva Badigera. “₹1.75 crore has been released for works at Sogala, and a drone survey was recently done for a cable car project at Gokak Falls,” he added.
Voices from the ground
“We have initiated several works at Yallammanagaragudda in Savadatti. Infrastructure upgrades across the district will help attract more visitors,” said Soumya Bapat, Joint Director, Tourism Department, Belagavi.
“It is encouraging that Kallagudi has been included this year. To draw more visitors, a suspension bridge from Vakkunda Dargah to Kallagudi, surrounded by the Malaprabha river, should be built. The historic Savadatti Fort, once a hub of theatre and cultural experiments under C.K.M. McKed, is now crumbling due to neglect. Its once-renowned gardens have also faded,” observed theatre artist Zakir Nadaf.
Challenges remain
Tourist guides are too few to meet the demand. Connectivity is another hurdle; many destinations lack proper bus services, and the route from Ugargol to Yallammanagaragudda, leading to the famed Yallamma temple, is riddled with potholes. Clean drinking water, accommodation, transport, and basic amenities are missing at several sites, with some lacking hotels or lodges altogether.
