Bengaluru, DHNS: Newly formed committee will submit report by Nov, says minister. Bengaluru has many sobriquets — Pensioners’ Paradise, Lake City, Garden City, Pub City, Education City, Sports City, Science City and Silicon Valley of India — but what is its identity? The newly formed Bengaluru Tourism Advisory Committee (BTAC) will search for a Unique Selling Identity to promote Brand Bengaluru.

Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said on Friday the committee would submit a report on what could be the identity of the 480-year-old city and how Brand Bengaluru should be promoted. The committee has to submit the report by November so that the suggestions are implemented in December.

The BTAC will also prepare an annual calendar of events for things tourists can do in the city which welcomes 11 crore domestic and 6.4 lakh visitors annually. There will be film festivals, open streets besides art and local festivals.

The BTAC will also make a souvenir of Bengaluru keeping tourists in mind. Miniatures of Bangalore Palace, Vidhana Soudha and Nandi Hills are being considered for the souvenir.

The Tourism Department and the BTAC are rushing to give Bengaluru its identity ahead of a series of events lined up for 2017-18 such as Aero India, Mahamastakabhisheka in Shravanabelagola, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, IT-Whiz and Make in India summits.

The minister, who took charge in June, acknowledged that Bengaluru has several problems to address such as traffic jams, garbage and flash floods. “There are negative things in every city but we are developing the infrastructure. Development is constant and it’s happening. The civic body needs to work faster and I will tell the authorities.”

Kharge disapproved of unauthorised trekking in the forest during the day and said night trekking was illegal. He said he was aware that such treks were being organised through independent organisations and social media. Though no cases have been registered so far, the government will get cracking soon, he said. According to him, Great Canara trails — India’s longest jungle trail — have run into legal troubles.

Until this is resolved, the Tourism Department will start and promote short trails. He asked people to give suggestions to the department and the BTAC on how the city could be improved. “People can share details of the city’s history. The department will be creating its own blog, Facebook page and Twitter handle,” he added.

Kempegowda Samrajya

The BTAC is working with historians to create and find the history of Kempegowda’s Samrajya and create a 5.5-km tourism circuit around it. Work on restoration at places like Nandi Hills and Begur has also started, Kharge said.