Good write up, Madikeri is beautifull place
Agreed about Harangi Dam and Shimsha. When we visited Shimsha they told us same thing we were disappointed but sometimes I heard in few reservoirs if we pay some money to them they will become our gudies I prefer not to see such prohibited areas because its too risky to enter such place and nothing special in it and better to follow the rule.
I have seen every corner of few big Dams like TB Dam Hospet, Linganamakki Dam Jog, Harangi Damm KushalNagar and can't remember few more in old days where there was not much security involved. but now a days because of threats may be they started prohibiting every such places. If we bring MLA/MP/Top governameant authorities letter they will allow.
Regards,
Ravi.