Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 12: The Karnataka Tourism Department has identified 11 potential Blue Flag beaches across the state, including several prominent beaches in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
K V Trilok Chandra, secretary of the tourism department said that the beaches identified for Blue Flag certification include Someshwar, Ullal and Sasihithlu in Dakshina Kannada district; Aasare, Kodi Kanyana, Padukere, Kodi Kundapur and Shiruru in Udupi district; and Bailur, Apsarakonda and Rabindranath Tagore Beach in Uttara Kannada district.
Sasihithlu beach (File pic)
He stated that developing these beaches into Blue Flag-certified destinations would require an estimated expenditure of Rs 142.06 crore. The development will include educational programmes, installation of information boards, introduction of adventure and water sports, organisation of beach festivals and events, beach cleaning activities, waste collection and disposal systems, water quality testing, and maintenance of public amenities.
Providing data on tourist inflow, Trilok Chandra said that the number of tourists visiting Coastal Karnataka increased from 28 crore in 2023 to 30 crore in 2024. During the same period, the number of foreign tourists rose from 4.09 lac to 4.85 lac.
He noted that while Coastal Karnataka attracts a large number of tourists, it is still considered underdeveloped. The region has immense potential for the growth of tourism and hospitality sectors. Coastal Karnataka accounts for approximately 21 to 38 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Karnataka, he added.
Speaking on river cruise tourism, Trilok Chandra said that five national waterways have been identified in Karnataka to promote river cruise tourism. These include the Kali river with a stretch of 53 km (National Waterway Route No. 52), the Sharavathi river covering 29 km (NWR No. 90), the Gurpur river with a 10 km stretch (NWR No. 43), the Netravati river covering 30 km (NWR No. 74), and the Kabini river with a length of 23 km (NWR No. 51).
He also spoke about the draft Beach Shack Policy of Karnataka, stating that it aims to regulate and promote eco-friendly, sustainable and responsible tourism along the state’s coastline. The policy ensures participation of local communities, environmental conservation, and quality visitor experiences, he said.
Explaining the concept of Blue Flag beaches, Trilok Chandra said that a Blue Flag beach is an internationally recognised eco-label-certified beach, marina or sustainable boating operator that meets stringent standards related to water quality, environmental management, safety and education. The certification signifies cleanliness, safety and strong environmental practices.