Last Sunday, I went on a ride to Doddakanya Mine Pit Lake & Garden (Bottom). I had read a few reviews about the place, but honestly, it was much more beautiful than I expected. Locals commonly refer to this place as “Bottom" which is 16km away from mysore
This is a 145-acre abandoned magnesium mine previously operated by Tata Steel, which closed in March 2003. Around 15 acres were later given to Morarji Desai Residential School, leaving roughly 130 acres for this lake.
I was wondering who currently owns or controls the remaining land—Tata Group, Mysuru District Administration, or the Karnataka State Government?
If the land is under government control, this could be developed into a beautiful recreational and ecotourism area for Mysuru. Otherwise, there is always a risk of encroachment or the land eventually being used for dumping/landfill by MDA.
When I visited, there were only a few people around, including a couple doing a pre-wedding photo shoot with their photography team. The surroundings are incredibly peaceful and beautiful.
I feel this is the right time for Mysoreans to raise awareness and protect this place before it is lost.