STUDY AREA

Karnataka is one of the largest states of South India. The state covers an area of 191,976 sq. kms or 5.83% of the total geographical area of India. It is the eighth largest Indian state by area, the ninth largest by population and comprises 30 districts. According to Population census of 2001, the Population of Karnataka was 5.273 crores (52.73 million). The Population of Karnataka has increased by 17.20% compared to the population census of 1991. Karnataka lies between the Latitudes 14^o49' 37.15"N to 13^o18' 39.29"N, Longitude 76^o56' 37.1"E to 77^o28' 15.66"E. The study focuses on tier-II cities of Karnataka which have a population of 2 - 8 lakhs, namely Mysore, Shimoga, Hubli- Dharwad, Belgaum, Bellary, Raichur and Gulbarga (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Study Area: Tier II Cities in Karnataka

Mysore is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka, ndia. The vibrant royal city of South, with numerous heritage sites, is facing the rapid urbanization. This irreversible process of urbanisation has been altering the landscape. With the government planning to develop this area under various Projects which has invited the surge of investors to invest heavily in this heritage city, especially the IT Companies. Shimoga is located in central part of the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the banks of the Tunga River. Shimoga encompasses an area of 8477 sq. km. Shimoga district has a population of 16.43 lakh (as per 2001 Census), with population density of 194 per sq. km. Hubli – Dharwad are twin cities in Indian state of Karnataka. Hubli-Dharwad is the second-largest urbanized centers in Karnataka. The twin cities have a common governance and are governed by Hubli - Dharwad Municipal

Corporation (HDMC) with a corporation governing area of 202.3Sq km. The population of the Twin cities is about 1 million (Census 2011). Gulbarga is a biggest district in Karnataka State covering 8.49% of the area and 5.9% of State’s population. Gulbarga is basically an agriculture dominated district. Raichur is one of major district in northern Karnataka, India, having 5 taluks and 37 hobli’s and 120 hamlets, with an area of 8386 sq. km. and a population density of 181 persons per sq. km (2001). Bellary city is situated in the Karnataka State and has a jurisdiction over an area of 82 Sq. Kms. Population of about 0.4 million as per 2011 census (provisional). Belgaum City geographically located in the North Western Part of Karnataka State, with a gross area of 38013.27 hectares.

The city has about 58 wards, with population of 0.5 million (2011 Census Provisional) and Population Density of 84.21 persons per hectare, the population in the region has a decadal increase of 7.31%.