The Hindu - pics - RK Durga Digitals

Udupi, Mar 5: It was a competition with a difference at the Malpe Beach here on Sunday.

Twelve women participated in the coconut tree-climbing competition for women organised by the Udupi Zilla Nagarika Samiti.

A large number of people gathered to watch the competition. Not all participants followed the style of using rope to climb a coconut tree, which is normally followed in the coastal districts. Some of them had their own technique of climbing the tree, that too, without even taking the help of rope or any other material. The coconut tree was 41-foot tall.

Lalita from Koppa in Chikmagalur district bagged the first place by climbing the coconut tree in 36 seconds. Kasturi Shetty from Mudrangady in Udupi district bagged the second place by climbing the tree in one minute and three seconds. Gladin from Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district bagged the third place by climbing the coconut in one minute and nine seconds. At the end of the competition, all the participants were given a sari each.

Deputy Commissioner in-charge P Hemalatha inaugurated the competition.
Presiding over the inaugural function, MLA K Raghupati Bhat said that competitions such as coconut tree climbing would help in the development of tourism. In order to give a fillip to tourism, the widening work of road near Malpe beach had been taken up.

Importance was being given to maintenance of cleanliness and beautification of Malpe beach.

A jetty was being constructed at the St. Mary's Island. A plan to construct a stage at the Malpe Beach, where cultural programmes could be held, was being discussed, he said.