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The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is developing two more parks as Miyawaki forests in Rajivnagar, Mysuru.

MCC Commissioner M K Savitha formally launched the Miyawaki method of afforestation project on 1.75 acres of land covering the two parks on Thursday.

The MCC is planting 17,000 seedlings of about 42 species, including Albizia lebbeck (Baage), Tabebuia, Peltophorum and others, in the parks.

MCC Assistant Executive Engineer (Horticulture) P K Mohan Kumar said the parks are being developed under the MCC’s ‘Namma Mysuru Namma Koduge’ (Our Mysuru, Our Gift) programme with CSR funds from Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts. The company will plant the saplings, maintain them for three years at a cost of about Rs 65 lakh, and hand them over to the MCC. The MCC will provide the land and water.

The company had earlier planted 12,000 plants on 1.2 acres at a public park in Vijayanagar 3rd Stage, Hinkal Road, in September 2024. It also planted 15,000 saplings on 1.5 acres at Jodi Bevinamara Park in Dattagalli in August 2025.

The MCC has also developed another park using the same method. In March 2026, 15,000 seedlings were planted on 1.5 acres at Saalumarada Thimmakka Park in Dattagalli with CSR funds from Toyota Accessories Development ME India (TADME).

“Miyawaki forests are dense, green and visually appealing, enriched by seasonal fruits and flowers. While eight to nine trees are planted per 10 square metres during normal tree plantation, in the Miyawaki method, as many as 30 are planted per 10 square metres,” Mohan Kumar said.

There are 529 parks in Mysuru city, spread over 18 lakh square feet, of which about 290 have been developed.

Mohan said, “Most of the remaining parks have basic amenities like walking paths. All parks are fenced. Besides these five parks developed using the Miyawaki method, 11 parks have been adopted and are being maintained by private individuals under ‘Namma Mysuru-Namma Koduge’ (Our Mysuru, Our Gift). We hope that more people will join the green mission. Private individuals can either develop them as Miyawaki forests or develop them as parks, beautify and maintain them. They can even contribute funds under CSR. The MCC will maintain them.”

MCC Additional Deputy Commissioner Veena and TKAP MD Tabrez Ahmed attended the event.

The Vegan India Movement will hold an Animal Liberation March in Mysuru on September 5 to voice opposition to ‘speciesism’ and animal exploitation. According to Amjor Chandran of the movement, the first‑of‑its‑kind march will start at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday from the old Deputy Commissioner’s office and proceed to Mysuru Town Hall.

The organisers said there is an urgent need to “expand moral consideration beyond conventional pets like dogs and cats, or wild animals, to include all sentient beings,” and aim to raise awareness of systemic animal exploitation across industries while urging an end to consumption of meat, eggs, dairy and honey.

The statement highlighted “often‑hidden” practices in the dairy sector, such as routine artificial insemination of cows and buffaloes and the culling of male calves deemed unprofitable.

It also stressed that abandoning animal products does not compromise personal well‑being, citing extensive peer‑reviewed research that humans can thrive on a fully plant‑based diet, and drew parallels between speciesism and other discriminations like sexism, casteism and racism, urging that speciesism be dismantled.

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will invite the chief ministers of all southern states, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, to the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, an 11‑day festival that runs from October 11 to October 21 and will feature air shows, military tableaux, drone displays, a flea market and a vintage car race.

Reviewing preparations on Thursday, Shivakumar directed officials to organise the Dasara festivities in a new, grander manner and ordered immediate dispatch of invitation letters to the chief ministers of every southern state. He also instructed the district administration to arrange suitable facilities should any visiting chief minister attend the inauguration, the closing ceremony or any other event during the festival.

Shivakumar said he would discuss the proposal for an air show with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and asked officials to seek tableaux from the Air Force, Army and Navy, while ensuring priority seating for ticket‑holding visitors.

The meeting considered inviting representatives and officials from various countries, and confirmed plans for a flea market, a vintage car race and a possible drone show as part of the celebrations.

Present at the meeting were Minister for Urban Development and Mysuru district in‑charge Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Mysuru district in‑charge secretary Selvakumar, Kannada and Culture Department Secretary Manjushree, Mysuru Police Commissioner Seema Latkar and other officials.

Mysuru court sentenced three men—Javeed Ahmad, Syed Mohammed Noorulla and Saddam Hussain—to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1.25 lakh each for possessing 51 grams of MDMA seized from Mandi Mohalla, marking one of the highest sentences for drug peddlers in the city.

The VII Additional District and Sessions Court handed down the verdict after the trio was arrested by a Central Crime Branch (CCB) team in 2024 and booked under Section 22(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Section 22(c) of the NDPS Act addresses offences involving psychotropic substances in quantities classified as commercial, prescribing a minimum imprisonment of 10 years that can extend to 20 years and a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

Police Commissioner Seema Latkar said the conviction demonstrates the importance of building strong evidence in narcotics cases and will send a strong message to those involved in the illegal drug trade. A CCB officer described Javeed Ahmad as a key figure in an illegal drug network with links to dealers in Bengaluru, noting that the team secured the conviction by collecting and presenting proper evidence.

Authorities believe the stringent punishment could act as a deterrent to individuals engaged in the sale and distribution of banned drugs, and the case comes amid continued police efforts to crack down on synthetic drugs and their supply networks in Mysuru.

Police also disclosed that Javeed Ahmad faces another pending case after being reportedly arrested recently for allegedly possessing 100 grams of synthetic drugs while out on bail.

The conviction and the ongoing actions against alleged drug network members underscore the city’s commitment to curb the circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances, with officials emphasizing the need for effective investigation and evidence collection to ensure drug‑trafficking cases result in convictions.

Mysuru authorities announced on Thursday, 3 September 2026 at 01:48 pm that Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols and chemical colours are banned ahead of the Ganesh festival to curb water‑body pollution. Only eco‑friendly clay idols will be allowed for immersion this year.

The Forest Department has installed 14 CCTV cameras around the Mysuru Palace premises to monitor the Dasara elephant team around the clock. This move is part of the Jumboo Savari training sessions, which have begun in earnest. Public entry into the elephant enclosure has been restricted to ensure the animals’ health and safety.

The CCTV system covers strategic points to track the elephants’ movements and prevent unauthorized access. Three locations, including the Kodi Someshwara Temple Yard, have been designated for tethering the elephants, each under constant surveillance. Feeds from all cameras are relayed to a television screen at the storage centre near the kitchen, where staff monitor the visuals continuously, and senior officers such as the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) can view the live feed on their mobile phones.

The kitchen where nutritious meals for the elephants are prepared is also under CCTV coverage to ensure transparency and strict compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Entry is limited to Forest Department staff and mahouts, and cameras help prevent people from approaching the animals.

Following the tragic elephant attack at Dubare Elephant Camp earlier this year, which claimed the lives of a Chennai-based woman tourist and the elephant Jayamarthanda, the Forest Department has strictly enforced SOPs, barring public access near the elephants. Police and Forest Department personnel have been deployed along approach roads, turning away hundreds of visitors at the Bhuvaneshwari and Trinayaneshwara Temple gates.

Enthusiasts are now flocking to watch the Jumboo Savari route training sessions from the Palace to Bannimantap via Sayyaji Rao Road, gathering in large numbers each morning and evening. On the fourth day of training, elephant Prashanth led the contingent, with wildlife lovers gathering at the Anjaneyaswamy Temple grounds to watch the march.

In the evening, elephant Dhananjaya led the rehearsal along the stretch from the Palace premises to the Government Ayurveda College, drawing thousands of spectators who offered flowers and bowed reverently as the Dasara elephant team passed.

Mysuru district is experiencing a severe 55% rainfall deficit, with an estimated crop loss of ₹122 crore due to drought. The district was expected to receive 310 mm of rain between June and August, but only 140 mm fell, prompting urgent relief measures.

Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara chaired a drought‑review meeting at the Zilla Panchayat on 1 September 2026 after touring the affected Hunsur and K.R. Nagar taluks. He voiced alarm over the rainfall shortfall, a sharp drop in employment generation and poor enrolment in crop‑insurance schemes. Only 1.91 lakh person‑days of employment have been created since July 2026, a 55% fall from the 4.33 lakh person‑days recorded the previous year, prompting him to ask, “Are people not demanding work? What are the zilla panchayat CEO and the officials under him doing?”

He declared eight taluks – H.D. Kote, Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Mysuru, Nanjangud, Saligrama, Saragur and T. Narasipura – as severely drought‑affected and directed officials to intensify relief measures.

On crop insurance, Parameshwara noted that while 49.64 lakh farmer applications covering 33,17,167 hectares have been registered statewide, only 20,836 farmers in Mysuru covering 8,046 hectares have enrolled. He warned, “Why are officials showing such negligence? Why have they not encouraged farmers to enrol? Irresponsibility will not be tolerated.”

The district holds 7,04,890 tonnes of fodder, enough for about 33 weeks, but availability drops to 25 weeks in Mysuru and Hunsur taluks and 26 weeks in Periyapatna. Parameshwara urged that borewell owners receive fodder seeds to grow fodder and said the government has released ₹25 crore to the Animal Husbandry Department for fodder‑kit distribution.

Drinking‑water shortages have been reported in 14 gram panchayats across six taluks. Six villages receive water via six tankers, nine villages via ten hired private borewells, and in urban areas 14 tankers supply water to 13 wards across three Urban Local Bodies.

He added that drought‑review meetings for the Belagavi and Kalaburagi revenue divisions have been completed and that he personally inspected conditions in Belagavi, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Chickballapur and Kolar districts.

Joint Director of Agriculture K.H. Ravi told the meeting that 2,12,751 hectares – about 56% of the cultivable area – have been sown this year, with nearly half of the sown area damaged by deficient rainfall. By contrast, 3,76,609 hectares (around 76% of cultivable land) were sown last year.

The meeting was attended by Mysuru district in‑charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, along with MLAs, MLCs and senior officials.

The Karnataka government’s decision to revamp Mysuru Dasara celebrations has raised concerns over the possible commercialisation of the cultural festival. While business entities have welcomed the government’s grand plans and the scope for increased economic activity, locals and experts are wary that too many new additions could dilute the uniqueness of the celebrations. They fear excessive commercialisation may further dent the festive atmosphere and shift the focus away from the cultural and heritage aspects that have made Mysuru Dasara distinctive. Many stakeholders alleged that Dasara-related decisions are imposed upon the public instead of being made through collective decision-making. An officer explained, “For example, kambala has no relevance in Mysuru. It will definitely not attract tourists. Still it is being included in the festivities. The district authorities are clueless about what is really happening.”

Mysuru Hotel Owners Association president C Narayana Gowda stated that adding new events in the name of attraction may boomerang in the future, emphasizing that the uniqueness of Dasara should be protected. He noted, “A few years ago, Dasara was organised with just 5 committees. Today the number has increased to 22. Instead of adding new attractions, the originality of Dasara should be protected and propagated. It will serve all purposes.” He added, “If we continue to add new attractions, the original celebrations will lose their importance.” Heritage expert NS Rangaraju said the state government must form a Dasara authority instead of taking unilateral decisions, stating, “We don’t know how Kambala will add value to Dasara. It will be a detraction.” Historian PV Nanjaraj Urs observed that bringing film stars to the procession or making new additions may not serve the real purpose, remarking, “Original Dasara celebrations are now limited to the palace. The govt Dasara celebrations now has become meaningless.” However, industry stakeholders welcomed the move; BS Prashanth, president of Mysuru Travels Association, said the proposals of new attractions to the Dasara is a good move.

In Mysuru, celebrities, musicians, and politicians gathered to pay tribute to the legendary singer S Janaki, urging the government to confer the Bharat Ratna, build a memorial, and establish a study centre in her honour. They recollected her motherly affection, childlike innocence, simplicity, dedication, and devotion to singing, as well as her over 48,000 evergreen songs in more than 20 languages. Veteran music director Hamsalekha shared that artists will come together to build her memorial at Kaniyanahundi of H D Kote taluk, where she was cremated. Karnataka Film Academy President Sadhu Kokila stated that the government will build her memorial and has already discussed it with Mysuru District In-charge Minister S Yathindra Siddaramaiah and will discuss it with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Noted lyricist Kalyan opined that S Janaki was a ‘precious gem’ of the nation and should be conferred with the Bharath Ratna. Malayalam singer Sujatha Mohan recalled her association with S Janaki since she was a ten-year-old child and her close bonding with her daughter, singer Shwetha Mohan. Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy President Jayamala said the state government should establish a study center at the University of Mysore in S Janaki’s name to study, document her works, and inspire upcoming generations. MLA G T Devegowda announced that the Bogadi road, where she lived, will be renamed as S Janaki Road.

Actor Vinod Raj suggested that the state government should establish welfare funds to take care of senior artists and honour them with lifetime achievement awards when they are alive. Umashri described S Janaki as ‘Kala Tapasvi’ and felt it was an honour to present the Rajyotsava award in 2014. Many other celebrities, including singers Vijay Prakash, Rajesh Krishnan, and Shamitha Malnad, paid tribute to S Janaki, hailing her as an inspiration and a legendary singer. Director S Narayan and actors Srinath and Tara also paid their respects, stating that her songs are classics and will be loved forever, and that she will live on forever with her evergreen songs.

Construction of an Olympic-size international swimming pool has finally begun at Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium in Chamarajanagar town. The project was announced in the 2025 state budget. The department of youth empowerment and sports has taken up the project at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore after obtaining the necessary approvals. Local MLC Puttaranga Setty formally launched the work. Officials said the swimming pool is expected to be completed by the end of March next year. Efforts to establish a swimming pool in the district date back over a decade. The district administration had proposed a smaller 12×25-metre pool near the indoor stadium to promote swimming among sports enthusiasts and sent a proposal to the state government. However, the project failed to take off and was eventually shelved due to a lack of funds and other constraints.

Demand for a swimming pool grew stronger over the years, as Chamarajanagar lacked the facility even nearly 29 years after becoming a district headquarters. In response, the state government sanctioned Rs 5.5 crore in 2025 to the department of youth empowerment and sports for the construction of the pool. Apart from the main pool, the department plans to build a smaller pool for children and a separate warm-up pool for swimmers at the same venue. The department has also recently upgraded the indoor stadium with improved facilities, including a shuttle badminton court, basketball court, fresh painting, renovated toilets and other amenities. Mahesh, a sports enthusiast from Chamarajanagar, said that though the district stadium was built two decades ago and upgraded with several facilities, many works remain incomplete, and there is still no permanent solution for rainwater drainage.

Bindya, in charge assistant director of the department of youth empowerment and sports, said construction work had commenced. “A full-fledged swimming pool with all modern facilities will be ready by next March. The department will also initiate steps to appoint a coach and other staff as the project progresses,” she said.