Vatal Nagaraj stages protest against heli-tourism around Lalit Mahal Palace

Shilpa P | NT

Mysuru: Kannada outfit leader Vatal Nagaraj staged a protest in front of Lalit Mahal Palace in Mysuru, opposing the Heli-tourism project near the palace on Thursday.

Speaking to News Trail, noted historian Mr Dharmendra Kumar said, “If the heli-tourism project is taken up in over five acres around Lalit Mahal, it will affect 800 to 1000 trees which are home to 72 species of birds. As many as one lakh butterflies of 27 rare species travel all the way from the Western Ghats to reach trees around Lalit Mahal from October to November. All these would be affected if the project is taken up,” he said.

When contacted, assistant director of the tourism department in Mysuru, Mr Raghavendra H.B. clarified that the case pertaining to the project is in court. In fact there has not been any detailed project report or proposal before the government. When Mr C.P. Yogeshwar was tourism minister, it was considered taking up the project in over five acres next to Lalitmahal.

There are also plans for a helipad to provide helicopter connectivity to Bengaluru.