Coracle operations reportedly continue near Sanapur reservoir and waterfalls despite the ban
Operators charge local tourists Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per ride, regular visitor Veeresh Ballari said. A Gangavathi Rural police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said complaints alleged that operators charged Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 for pre-wedding shoots, with a minimum fee of Rs 5,000.
Gangavathi range forest officer Basavaraj said a complaint had been lodged with Rural Police Station. An FIR would be registered and coracles seized as operators continued rides while evading officials, he said. Coracles have capsized in the area in the past, while repeated police warnings have failed to stop the activity, he added. Villagers urged the district administration and police, irrigation and forest departments to coordinate action to avert a possible tragedy.
Because of crocodiles and otters, while Sanapur gram panchayat has prohibited washing clothes there, forest department warning boards advise people against entering the river.
Some visitors allegedly cross the river by coracle in the morning, consume alcohol and food on the opposite bank, and return in the evening, villagers said.