Coastal Karnataka Set for Major Tourism Boost with Development of Ten Islands

Bhatkal: In a significant move to strengthen tourism in Coastal Karnataka, the State government has decided to develop tourism infrastructure on ten islands spread across three coastal districts. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held in Mangaluru, according to 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 around 106 islands. Of these, 20 islands were initially shortlisted based on their tourism potential. After conducting a detailed feasibility study, authorities concluded that tourism development is practically viable on ten islands, and plans have now been approved to take up development work on these locations.

Mankal Vaidya said the meeting in Mangaluru also focused on addressing long-standing issues related to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which has often slowed down development activities in coastal areas. He explained that, unlike some other states and major cities such as Chennai and Goa, Karnataka earlier lacked a dedicated institution at the district or state level to approve CRZ maps. This gap has now been addressed with the establishment of an institutional framework, which is expected to streamline approvals and resolve CRZ-related hurdles more efficiently.

The minister added that the State government is keen to encourage private investment in the coastal tourism sector. He assured that investors would receive full support in the form of bank loans, subsidies, electricity connections, drinking water supply and other basic infrastructure. The initiative is aimed at creating employment opportunities and boosting the local economy in coastal regions.

Karnataka’s coastline stretches for nearly 300 kilometres along the Arabian Sea, from Uttara Kannada bordering Goa to Dakshina Kannada in the south. The region is rich in natural beauty, featuring pristine beaches, islands and a strong cultural and historical heritage. Despite this, Coastal Karnataka has not gained the level of national and international tourism attention that destinations like Goa enjoy.

In this context, the meeting held in Mangaluru on Saturday, January 10, assumed special importance. The discussions were attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and several MLAs and MPs from both the Congress and the BJP. The leaders deliberated on strategies to position Coastal Karnataka as a major tourism destination on par with other prominent coastal regions in the country.