People head to jungle to beat the heat

BANGALORE: With summer holidays round the corner, families are heading to resorts, hotels and forest lodges in the state which are witnessing a sharp increase in advance bookings.They have seen 80 per cent bookings this season. People are heading to jungle lodges to seek relief from the soaring temperature. The state-run Tourism Corporation Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JL&R) has introduced schemes to create awareness at the very tender age on ecotourism and preserving nature at large.The JL&R announced that children below 12 years of age will not be charged for the tourism package and a special session of nature trail, screening of education- based film on forests and environment will be held to sensitise people.Chief Conservator of Forest and Executive Director of JL&R Sanjai Mohan told Express: “We have 17 lodges and resorts in Karnataka alone, and this time we have deputed a ‘Naturist’ who would help educate guests on nature.The naturist will screen guests and confiscate cigarettes, lighters, plastic bags and alcohol bottles.” He further said the JL&R had 10 dedicated persons to attend to around 100 calls per day.A list of do’s and don’ts, mostly about fire safety, had been put in the tourism guidelines.Similarly, other smalltime resorts and lodges in and around Coorg, Mysore and Bangalore also claim about 70 per cent bookings.“We get around 100 calls during weekends, and everyday we get around 15 calls.During holidays, our resorts witness 60 per cent sale, and sometimes business is a little dull,” said senior sales executive of Raya Resorts Brinda.