Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 12: Karnataka is set to put seven relatively unexplored islands off the Uttara Kannada coast on the global tourism map, with the state government approving an ambitious Rs 307.71-crore project to transform them into world-class tourist destinations.
The project, to be implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, seeks to unlock the tourism potential of these islands in the Arabian Sea through planned infrastructure, resorts, adventure activities and island-hopping facilities. The proposed development includes around 310 hotel rooms and accommodation capacity for approximately 2,800 tourists a day.
According to a government notification, six greenfield islands and one brownfield island spread across Karwar, Ankola and Bhatkal taluks will be developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The initiative aims to attract private investment and give a major push to coastal tourism by developing the region's largely untapped natural attractions.
Seven islands identified for transformation
According to sources in the Infrastructure Development, Ports and Inland Water Transport Department, the seven islands selected for development are Madhyalingad (Sanyasi Island), Hog Island, Devgad (Oyster Rock), Mongeraguda, Kiri Kunda, Ankani Cheggudu and Kurumgad.
Together, the islands cover 135.04 acres, of which 59.31 acres have been earmarked for development. The proposed tourism infrastructure will include accommodation and recreational facilities, with the scale of development determined by the designated areas and environmental considerations.
The seven islands, located within Karwar, Ankola and Bhatkal taluks, are:
1. Madhyalingad or Madligad Island (Sanyasi Island): Located in Karwar taluk.
2. Devgad Island (Oyster Rock Island): Situated off the Karwar coast, the island is known for its historic lighthouse.
3. Kurumgad Island: Located near Karwar, this turtle-shaped island is famous for its Narasimha Temple and adventure tourism activities.
4. Mongeraguda: A picturesque island falling within the Karwar region.
5. Ankani Cheggudu: Located in Ankola taluk.
6. Hog Island: Situated off the coast of Bhatkal taluk.
7. Kiri Kunda or Kirikonda Island: A small island falling within Bhatkal taluk.
Island-hopping, resorts and adventure tourism on the cards
The government aims to develop the islands as eco-tourism destinations, with resorts, adventure sports and island-hopping facilities, while ensuring that their natural environment remains protected.
The initiative is expected to add a new dimension to Uttara Kannada's tourism offerings. Besides the seven islands, Netrani Island near Murudeshwar, a popular destination for scuba diving, and Basavaraj Durga Island off Honnavar are already among the district's prominent island attractions.
Devgad gets the biggest investment proposal
Among the seven islands, Devgad in Karwar has attracted the highest proposed investment of Rs 74.99 crore. Hog Island in Bhatkal comes next, with an investment of Rs 59.99 crore.
The proposed investments for the other islands are:
• Madhyalingad (Sanyasi Island): Rs 45 crore
• Kurumgad Island: Rs 39.76 crore
• Ankani Cheggudu: Rs 36 crore
• Mongeraguda: Rs 27.98 crore
• Kiri Kunda: Rs 23.99 crore
An engineer from the department explained that Kurumgad had been classified as a brownfield island, indicating the presence of existing infrastructure or development, while the remaining six islands had been categorised as greenfield projects requiring fresh infrastructure.
318 hotel rooms, capacity for 2,606 tourists a day
The scale of the proposed transformation is reflected in the tourism infrastructure planned across the islands.
"According to our preliminary estimates, these seven islands will have a total of 318 hotel rooms and the capacity to accommodate 2,606 tourists a day. The government hopes to utilise the natural attractions of this region to create a new tourism economy along the coastline," an official said.
Private developers to be selected through competitive bidding
Under the project framework, private developers will be selected through a competitive bidding process, with the highest revenue-sharing offer serving as the primary criterion for selection.
The concession period will be 30 years, with an option to extend it by another 30 years, subject to the necessary approvals and fulfilment of prescribed conditions. The Karnataka Maritime Board will oversee the implementation and monitoring of the projects.
The initiative is also expected to generate substantial revenue for the state. The total annual concession fee payable in the first year has been estimated at Rs 8.70 crore. In addition, the authority is expected to earn around Rs 145.87 crore through revenue-sharing arrangements over the concession period.
Environmental clearances, carrying capacity assessments mandatory
While the project envisages large-scale tourism infrastructure, the government has made it clear that development must not come at the cost of environmental protection.
Developers will have to prepare Integrated Island Management Plans (IIMPs) and obtain all necessary statutory clearances, including approvals from the Environment and Forest departments.
The extent of permissible development on each island will be determined through carrying capacity assessments, according to the government notification. These assessments are intended to establish how much tourism activity the islands can sustain without damaging their fragile ecosystems.
With the global tourism industry increasingly turning its attention to distinctive coastal and island destinations, Karnataka is seeking to transform a relatively unexplored stretch of its Arabian Sea coastline into a major tourism and economic asset.
If implemented as envisaged, the project could bring these seven lesser-known islands into the international tourism spotlight, opening up new opportunities for investment, employment and coastal economic activity while giving Karnataka's tourism landscape a significant boost.