Almatti's Silver Lake Boating Facility Re-launched by Minister Shivanand Patil
In a significant boost to tourism in the region, Sugar and Textiles Minister Shivanand Patil re-launched the boating service at Silver Lake in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Sagar area of Almatti, Vijayapura district, on Saturday. The minister emphasized that beyond its primary irrigation role, the reservoir is now being developed as a multifaceted tourist destination with various attractions to draw visitors.
Enhancing Almatti's Tourist Appeal
Speaking at the event, Minister Patil highlighted that the resumption of boating has significantly increased Almatti's value as a tourist hotspot. He noted that existing parks, such as the Rock Garden and Science Garden, have already established themselves as educational and recreational sites, capturing public interest. The addition of boating is expected to further enrich the visitor experience, making Almatti a more comprehensive destination for leisure and learning.
Tourist Influx and Key Attractions
Annually, approximately 8 lakh tourists from Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh visit the Almatti Shastri reservoir. A major draw is the world-famous colourful musical fountains located at the reservoir's base, operated by the Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam, which serve as a popular entertainment spot. The area features several well-developed parks:
- Right Side of the Reservoir: Rock Park and the 77 Acre Park.
- Left Side of the Reservoir: Lavakush Park and Krishna Park.
These parks contribute to the site's educational and aesthetic value, offering diverse experiences for tourists.
Development of Silver Lake
The Silver Lake, where boating has been re-launched, has an interesting history. It was created on an old site that previously had a pile of stones near the main road leading to the Almatti dam from the national highway. An artificial lake was constructed there, with work completed in 2003-04. Key features of Silver Lake include:
- A depth of 10 feet.
- A Japanese-style gazebo built in the middle of the lake.
- Attractive barriers and pathways surrounding it.
- Currently, five Japanese-style gazebos are situated on the lake's banks.
Water is supplied to the lake through a gravity-fed pipeline from the dam. The lake is named 'Silver Lake' because it mirrors the surrounding nature like a pristine mirror, enhancing its scenic beauty. Minister Patil explained that this reflective quality has inspired plans to introduce boating and water sports, aiming to make it a central activity for tourists.
Official Presence and Future Prospects
The re-launch event was attended by former minister SR Patil, KBJNL superintendent engineer Basavaraj, and other officials, underscoring the government's commitment to developing Almatti's tourism infrastructure. With these enhancements, Almatti is poised to attract even more visitors, leveraging its natural beauty and man-made attractions to become a key destination in Karnataka's tourism landscape.
