Yahya Hallare

Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (EP)

Bhatkal, Sep 24: The government has been promoting tourism in the country.

115 fisheries landing ports have identified in the state for developing water and adventure sports. Murdeshwar is one of them.

Murdeshwar is one such place where thousands of tourists arrive from India and abroad.

Nearly 400 ordinary boats and 175 mechanized fishing boats are in operation here. More than 3,000 people have made fishing as their only occupation.

However as the place is ideal for tourism, new tourism projects get implemented here. Beaches in the district are being developed. Tenders are being invited to permit water sports and sea adventure sports on either sides of Murdeshwar temple.

Water sports will disrupt the fishing boats, say some locals. They have objected to the sport. They have said that they are not against development. “Enough land belonging to the revenue department is in Murdeshwar for development. Let them do that first. There are other opportunities for tourism. Targeting of fishermen by the government without doing what has to be done first, is not fair. Protests will certainly be held if the tender process is not stopped”, say the fishermen.