New Delhi : Karnataka's Jog Falls will soon be developed as a major tourist destination. A Rs.4.62 crores project is being planned which will include constructing steps from the bottom to the top of the falls and a 600-seater restaurant at the bottm of the falls.

Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said the project, located in the Western Ghats in Shimoga district of Karnataka, has already received a Rs. 3.7 crores from the ministry. Karnataka will receive the remaining funds shortly.

The project will also involve improving the Jog Falls area, constructing tourist shelters, amusement parks, landscaping and renovation of the existing swimming pool besides improving the parking area for tourist vehicles. The state government also plans to start adventure sports during summer.

Karnataka's tourism secretary Shanta Kumari said, 'Tourists visiting the falls had to use makeshift stone-cut rough steps created by the villagers to reach the bottom of the falls. Now, we plan to make 600 real steps to make the climb down safer."

The peak season to visit the Falls is between July and January. 'During the dry season, we plan to start rock climbing and bungee jumping camps on the falls, when the water just trickles down from the top. A Jog Development Authority has also been set up to oversee the programme," she said.

The Jog waterfall (Jogada Gundi in Kannada) is one of the highest waterfalls in Asia alongwith Barehipani, Dudhsagar, Nohkalikai and Nohsngihiang Falls. Also called the Gerusoppe Falls, it is created by the Sharavati river that falls from  a height of 960 feet. The river splits into four streams just before the waterfall. The four streams are named in accordance of their perceived trajectories - Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket.

The waerfalls is also associated with the nearby Linganamakki Dam and servs the hydro-electric power station. A dam has been built just before the river jumps into the Jog Falls for power generation. The dam has led to a reduction of the amountof water reaching the falls during the summer months. During the rainy season (June - October), the floodgates of the da are opened and  the waterfall runs full.

toi 042006