Bhatkal: In a major push to boost the tourism sector in Coastal Karnataka, key decisions were taken at a high-level meeting held in Mangaluru, including the development of tourism on ten islands spread across three coastal districts. The information was shared by Karnataka Minister for Ports, Fisheries and Inland Water Transport, Mankal Vaidya.
Speaking to reporters in Bhatkal, the minister said that the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada together have a total of 106 islands. Out of these, 20 islands were initially identified for tourism potential. Following a detailed feasibility study, it was found that tourism development is viable on ten islands, and it was decided to develop tourism infrastructure on these islands.
Mankal Vaidya said the Mangaluru meeting also reviewed the long-standing challenges related to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which has often delayed development activities in coastal areas. He pointed out that earlier there was no dedicated institution at either the district or state level in Karnataka to approve CRZ maps, unlike in cities such as Chennai, Goa and Hyderabad, and several other states. He added that the State has now established the necessary institutional framework, which will make it easier to address CRZ-related issues and clear development proposals.
The minister further stated that the State government is fully prepared to support anyone willing to invest in the tourism sector in Coastal Karnataka. Facilities such as bank loans, subsidies, electricity supply, drinking water and other essential infrastructure will be extended to encourage tourism-related projects, with the aim of generating employment and strengthening the local economy.
Stretching from Uttara Kannada, which borders Goa, to Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka’s coastline spans nearly 300 kilometres along the Arabian Sea and is endowed with pristine beaches, islands and rich natural and cultural heritage. While Goa enjoys international recognition as a major tourist destination, Coastal Karnataka has not yet received similar attention despite having comparable potential.
Against this backdrop, an important meeting was convened in Mangaluru on Saturday, January 10, to chalk out plans for promoting tourism across the coastal belt of Karnataka. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with MLAs and MPs from both the Congress and the BJP. The participants discussed strategies to transform Coastal Karnataka into a prominent tourism hub, on par with other leading coastal destinations in the country.