Udupi: Picturesque Someshwar Beach Offers Much for Tourism Development
Aishwarya Beejady
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (RD/CN)
Udupi, Jul 28: The scenic beauty of Someshwar beach in Byndoor that lies on the Arabian Sea is beyond words. It is ironical that although Someshwar beach has every potential to be a hotspot of tourist destination, the tourism department has not realized it. If one stands gazing from the foothill of Ottinene hillock on Someshwar beach, the sight that meets the eye is truly breathtaking. The lush green vegetation of mangroves along the rivulets is a visual treat.
One wonders why despite its tourism potential, the concerned department has not taken an interest in developing Someshwar beach which got its name from the temple which lies in the neighbourhood of Paduvari gram panchayat. It has an asphalted road on NH 66 from Byndoor, and there lies an access road to Someshwar temple that is closest to the sea.
The tidal waves hitting the boulders on the shore delight the onlookers. There lies a ‘Nagateerta’, a natural pond beside the temple, which has abundant water throughout the year. Someshwar beach is the only one where the people can visit a temple while enjoying nature’s bounty.
Ottinene hillock lies at the close proximity to Someshwar beach. The hillock has rare medicinal plants and other vegetation. The forest department had constructed Kshitij Nesaradhama, a spot to view the sun set at Ottinene in 1996. One would be fortunate in life, if one gets an opportunity to view the sunset on the Arabian Sea from Kshitij Nesaradhama. The steps had been erected to access Kshitij Nesaradhama. It has road access along Someshwar beach from Nesaradhama. The beach extends two kilometres and is frequented by many visitors on evenings and on weekends.
However, the beach lacks basic amenities for the hundreds of visitors. The access road to the beach lies in a deplorable condition. Although there are private resorts in the vicinity, it’s beyond the means of ordinary tourists. The district tourism department that has been laying importance on promotion of tourism in the district has not realized the potentials of Someshwar beach.
District Tourism Department Survey
"Someshwar beach has not seen any development despite being the most picturesque and pristine beach. The survey has been done by the Coastal Development Authority (CDA) and the report submitted to the tourism department in order to undertake development along Someshwar beach,” said CDA sub-committee president S Janardhan.
"Development work is underway at a cost of Rs 50 lac in Kaup on Arabian Sea, as well as Trasi – Maravante, Malpe shore. The tourism department is expected to take interest in developing picturesque Someshwar beach,” he added.
Under consideration
"The taluk administration has chalked up plans to develop Someshwar beach besides laying special emphasis on developing the world famous Trasi – Maravante beach. The need to develop Someshwar beach will be brought to the notice of state administration shortly,” said Kundapur Assistant Commissioner (AC) B Sadhashiv Prabhu.
"A proposal had already been sent to the state administration in order to develop Someshwar beach,” said district tourism department official Ramachandra. "The development work by the department is underway in Trasi – Maravante beach, Kaup and Malpe. The work at Kaup will be expedited after the monsoon season. The development work at St Mary’s Island is already completed. The survey report that was handed over by CDA sub-committee has been forwarded to the state administration for granting the funds and along with it the work will begin,” added Ramachandra.
Construction of rest houses
"The forest department has taken up the construction of rest houses to develop infrastructural facilities for the tourists who arrive at Kshitij Nesaradhama and Someshwar beach. A few rest houses are already functioning and are a boon to tourists. Further development has also planned at Kshitij Nesaradhama,” said Kundapur assistant forest conservator Manjunat Shetty.