Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP) 

Udupi, Nov 22: Deputy Commissioner (DC} of the district, G Jagadeesha, called upon government officials to develop all the beaches in the district in an effort to earn Blue Flag certification for them. 

Speaking after presiding over the district tourism development committee meeting held in the DC office on Thursday November 21, he said that the beaches that already have Blue Flag recognition should be identified and efforts should be made to develop similar facilities in other beaches. He asked the officials to conduct a survey about the existing facilities in Blue Flag beaches and pinpoint lack of any of them. "The survey should also cover beaches that have not yet been identified as Blue Flag ones, and a list out the facilities they lack," he stated.

He said that a master plan for improvement of beaches that have the certification should be submitted along with CZMA map CRZ clearance along with all the relevant documents. “Another meeting in this connection will be held by the end of November,” he informed the officials. 

He asked Malpe development committee to undertake the works that are in the list of estimate to provide facilities at a cost of Rs 50 lac at Malpe Sea Walk area and to obtain on lease necessary land for the purpose from the department of ports. 

Speaking about reports about ferrying tourists in excess of limits prescribed by those who have permits for operating tourist boats in Malpe beach, he said that a notice has already been served to the owners of one of these boats and asked the municipal commissioner to cancel its permit. “It is the responsibility of each boat owner to adhere to rules formulated for public safety,” he said. 

“As the tender period for maintenance of Padubidri beach is over, a new tender should be floated,” he instructed. He asked Nirmithi Kendra officials to prepare a project report after inspection for the development of Babbukudru Isle as a tourist destination as per a proposal moved by the minister for Muzrai, fisheries and ports, Kota Srinivas Poojary, located in Panchagangavali river, Kundapur. He passed instructions to prepare an estimate to develop tourist facilities near Madhwacharya statue, Kunjarugiri under Swadesha Darshana project of union department of tourism. 

He asked officials to take legal measures needed to hand over land of port and fisheries department to tourism department. “Hoardings and advertisements should be put up on both sides of the highway to give publicity and support about tourism centres in the district. Pictures depicting the tourist spots, temples, art and culture should be prominently painted on flyover walls. Publicity should be given about tourism in the district in social networks and department website should be made more attractive,” he advised. 

“Tourist guides should be appointed and suitably trained after releasing advertisements. Different cultural programmes should be organized in beaches during weekends to attract tourists after holding discussions with department of Kannada and culture,” he stated. 

Speaking about applications received for home stay permits, he asked the department officials to check whether the 32 home stays that have already been issued permits are functioning properly, and submit a report thereof. 

Additional deputy commissioner, Sadashiva Prabhu, Kundapur sub divisional officer Raju, municipal commissioner, Anand Kallolikar, tourism department assistant director Chandrashekar Nayak, officials of various departments and staff were present.