Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary will start forest safari: HK Patil

Belagavi: The govt has decided to open the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district for a ‘forest safari'. According to tourism minister HK Patil, 18 km of the BWS will be opened for the safari.
Addressing the press conference here on Wednesday, Patil said the decision was taken to attract tourists and improve tourism in Belagavi. "We have already spoken with the forest department regarding the BWS forest safari," he said.
Spread over 19,042.58 hectares in the catchment area of Mahadayi river, BWS shares boundaries with Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa. The Bhimgad region has extensive biodiversity and provides a corridor for tigers and other wildlife. The Barapede cave here is the only known roosting site for Wroughton's free-tailed bats in India.
Master plan for Yallamma temple
Meanwhile, Patil said that the master plan for the development of Renuka Yallamma temple in Savadatti is underway and needs some fine-tuning. The final plan will be ready by next month. "Once it is finalised, the plan will be uploaded on the Renuka Yallamma Kshetra Tourism Development Board website, and will invite suggestions and objections," he said.
Patil said the largest fair of Yallamma would begin on Bharat Hunnume, (full moon), on Feb 12. More than 10 lakh devotees will visit the temple during this time. "The govt is making several arrangements for devotees by fixing traffic issues, accomidation and other basic facilities. We are also installing LED screens in the temple premises for darshan," he detailed.
HK Patil said during the CM's visit to the Yallamma temple a few months ago, he had proposed launching fodder dasoha (fodder donation) for the devotees who visit the temple in bullock carts. "We are building infrastructure to accommodate bullock carts and storing fodder. The foundation stone for this project will be laid next month," he said.
DC Mohammad Roshan, joint director of tourism department Soumya Bapat, and SP Dr Bhimashankar Guled were present.