Karnataka to prepare tourism development plans for CRZ-notified beaches
Karnataka beach
Key areas to be covered in the study include: identification of CRZ-notified beaches where tourism activities are permitted; beach-wise assessment of tourism potential; evaluation of road connectivity and supporting infrastructure; assessment of opportunities for environmentally sustainable development; study of public and private investment potential.
Karnataka Tourism Minister K J George directed officials to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all beaches in the state where tourism activities are permitted under the CRZ regulations and prepare a separate ‘Tourism Development Master Plan’ for each beach.
Karnataka has a 320-kilometre-long coastline with immense potential for beach tourism, marine adventure tourism, wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and hospitality investments.
While Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations already permit tourism development in several coastal stretches, no comprehensive study has so far been undertaken to assess their tourism potential and plan their development systematically, the minister said, according to his office in a release.
He instructed officials to evaluate the unique potential of each beach individually by studying road connectivity, existing infrastructure, tourism appeal, environmental sensitivity, investment opportunities, and the potential for generating local employment and economic growth.
Based on this assessment, the minister directed officials to prepare individual Tourism Development Master Plans for each beach, outlining suitable tourism activities, infrastructure requirements, visitor amenities, and investment opportunities to ensure planned and sustainable development.
“Karnataka’s coastline has the potential to become one of the state’s strongest drivers of tourism growth. We must promote sustainable and planned tourism development within the framework of CRZ regulations without compromising environmental conservation. If development plans are tailored to the unique character of each beach, they will generate greater investments, create employment, and significantly strengthen the coastal economy,” George said.
Key areas to be covered in the study include: identification of CRZ-notified beaches where tourism activities are permitted; beach-wise assessment of tourism potential; evaluation of road connectivity and supporting infrastructure; assessment of opportunities for environmentally sustainable development; study of public and private investment potential.
Also, preparation of a dedicated Tourism Development Master Plan for each beach and analysis of employment generation and local economic development opportunities, the release added.
(Source - PTI)
