Sirsi: The Uttara Kannada district administration on Monday decided to postpone the Kadambotsava-2019 citing monkey fever as reason.

Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) or monkey fever was reported in Siddapur, Sirsi and Honnavar taluks of Uttara Kannada district and in Shivamogga district, which is close to Banavasi.

Recently, a couple of monkeys were found dead near Banavasi and they were test KFD positive. Hence, the administration has postponed the two-day state-level Kadambotsava, which was scheduled to be held on February 9 and 10 in Banavasi, as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, the district administration was prepared itself for the festival. It had even finalised invitation cards and selected artistes for the event. Pre-events of the festival like sports and drawing competitions were held a few days ago.

Recently, District Minister R V Deshpande stated that the government was thinking of postponing the festival in view of Kyasanur forest disease. On Monday, the administration took the decision after discussing the matter with officials concerned and elected representatives.

However, the decision of the administration has disappointed the people, especially from Sirsi and Banavasi. “The government just needed a reason to cancel another festival of North Karnataka. It has already cacelled many festivals of this part of the region, including Hampi Utsav,” they said.