Nandi Hills or Nandidurg, a favourite hotspot for Bangalore residents, is set to become a destination for adventure activities. Nandi Hills is located in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka and is at a distance of about 60 km from Bangalore. The attraction of Nandi Hills is mainly due to the scenic beauty of the place, the panoramic view of the surrounding areas from the hilltop and the ancient hill fortress situated on it.
The Horticulture Department, which manages the Nandi Hills, has decided to launch various adventure activities there for the benefit of tourists visiting the evergreen hills.
Initiative by the Horticulture Department
As an initial step towards starting the adventure activities the Horticulture Department has invited tenders for setting up of and running varied adventure activities in Nandi Hills.
According to Ravichandra S, the special officer of Nandi Hills, the decision to launch adventure activities in these hills was taken at the government level. The initiative is based on the response received while carrying out a pilot project on adventure sports in the area.
Pilot project on adventure sports
Paragliding in Nandi Hills. Source Flickr
An adventure institute had carried out a trial project of offering a few adventure sports in Nandi Hills for a period of three months. About 800 people had participated in the pilot project. After getting such a positive response from the people the government has approved the proposal of making Nandi Hills a spot for adventure activities.
To make this proposal a reality the government has decided to identify a professional adventure institute to carry out the adventure activities for a period of one year and has invited a tender to that effect. The decision regarding which adventure sports would be offered was based on the response of the trial period. The most popular demand among people was for adventure sports to be offered with professional guidance.
Priority of the adventure sports initiative
The decision to make the famed Nandi Hills an adventure sports hotspot is directed towards offering visitors a good experience. The Horticulture Department has said that generating revenue from sports is not the priority of the initiative. There will be no compulsion on any visitor to participate in the adventure sports.
The Horticulture Department has specified that contractors should facilitate personal accident coverage and third party liability for the benefit of general public participating in the sports.
Proposed adventure activities in Nandi Hills
The list of proposed activities in Nandi Hills include various adventure activities and sports such as:
- Nature awareness camp
- Bird watching and tree identification
- Heritage Walk
- Team Building Activities
- Family Fun Activities
- Trekking from the foothills to the Nandi hill top
- Cycling along specified paths for adults and children (below 12 years)
- Low rope and high rope course activities
- Burma Bridge
- Burma Loop
- The Team Wall
- Log Walk
- Horizontal Ladder
- E-bee-zeebee
- Zip line
- River Crossing
- Rappelling
The authorities have come up with different rate charts for the various activities. The offering of adventure activities in Nandi Hills will give Bangalore residents another place to enjoy a great time.
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