Mangalore: ‘CRZ Rules Hindering Coastal Tourism Development’
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/VA)
Mangalore, Dec 17: An interactive meeting with the minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahay, regarding the development of coastal tourism was held at Hotel Gateway here on Saturday December 17.
The meeting was organized with an expectation of providing a facelift to tourism sector in coastal region. During the interaction many were of the ‘blunt’ opinion that CRZ rule is causing hindrance to various tourism projects planned in the coastal region.
Though it was a stakeholders’ meeting on the topic ‘holistic development of coastal region’, many attendees were of the opinion that meetings after meetings are taking place at regular interval with zero outcome. No action is followed thereafter and thus the suggestions received and decisions taken during the meetings are royally forgotten, they expressed.
The promise of MLA and deputy speaker Yogish Bhat at a seminar-cum-interaction meet on ‘Future of Coastal Tourism’ held during the month of September this year at Hotel Motimahal also came under scanner as his assurance of urging the Government to appoint an IAS officer to oversee the tourism sector in the three coastal district is still unfulfilled and no follow-up action has been taken on that.
Though the scheduled time of arrival of Tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahay was at 10.30am, he made it exactly two hours late at 12.30 pm. Speaking to the members gathered, he said that the actual development of tourism in the nation is based on the quality improvement in the service of tour operators, hoteliers, and industry as well. He also added that the tourism industry in the nation will double in the coming days and this would create 25 million new eomplyment across the nation.
Pointing out that foreign tourists give importance for ‘cleanliness’ in any tourist spots and to spread awareness on this, a unique ‘Clean India Campaign’ will be initiated on December 20 at Delhi. Former president of India APJ Abdul Kalam will be heading this campaign, he revealed.
Though appeals, suggestions focusing on the coastal tourism development were high in numbers, during the short time visit of the minister, the facts relating particularly to development of tourism in coastal region went untouched. Most of the stakeholders were of opinion that though major issues concerning the subject matter were raised in all the previous meeting, no action is initiated questioning the necessity of holding such meetings.
Issues raised during the meeting
It was urged that ‘Cruise travel’ should be given importance from Mangalore port juts like in Mumbai and to make it happen the investors should be supported by the tourism ministry. As there are large number of travelers who cannot afford to go on a flight Journey and train, buses routes from Mangalore to Mumbai, Kerala to Karnataka is mostly rush this would be a convenient option, they reasoned.
It was also pointed out that ‘Health tourism’ should be given importance for which qualified doctors must be there at Ayurvedic massage centers to boost it.
Coastal Development Authority chairman B Nagaraj Shetty, deputy speaker N Yogish Bhat, MLA U T Khader, P V Mohan and CEO of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project Yathish Baikampady among others were present at the meeting.