Hassan homestays come under scanner

HASSAN: Mushrooming homestays in Hassan district may have benefited locals and given a big boost to tourism. However, there is also a dark underside to the success story.
Officials from the local administration and police have struck a note of caution against some unauthorized activities being conducted with impunity in some homestays. They have been viewing with suspicion unauthorized trekking and water sports activities organized in some places.
The district, which is known for its virgin greenery and rich habitat, owing to the Western Ghats, houses popular tourist hubs like Sakleshpur, Belur and Alur. These are big getaway destinations for the IT crowd during weekends and nature lovers.
Most of the visitors are from Silicon City, Chennai, Mangalore and elsewhere. Over 50 homestays have sprouted in these places but only five of them are authorized.
Most of the homestays are run by estate owners, who are able to generate an assured income with minimal investment and risk. There are also low budget vacation homes which promise a rural ambience.
However, officials say these homestays encourage illegal trekking into reserve forests, an activity fraught with danger. In February an engineering student from Bangalore illegally entered the forest area and drowned in the Devara Gundi Falls.
Department of tourism assistant director Bhaskar said guidelines stipulate that a homestay must have minimum two and maximum five rooms and the owner should reside in the premises. He said officials inspect licensed homestays once a year.
"We have inquired about homestays in the district. Some have taken permission from local panchayats and few from KSTDC. We will meet all home stay owners and check legal documents," Amith Singh, SP, Hassan, said.