Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 26: District in-charge minister, Pramod Madhwaraj, said that a sum of one crore rupees each would be released soon to introduce scuba diving facility in Murudeshwara and Malpe beaches. He was addressing the tourism development committee meeting held in the office of the district deputy commissioner at Manipal on Saturday March 25.
The probability of providing sky diving facility at Malpe and scuba diving centre at Kaup beach was also discussed at the meeting.The minister urged the officials to implement all the decisions being taken to lead the district further on the path of turning it into a tourist attraction, in a time bound manner. He expressed happiness at the distribution of taxies to eligible beneficiaries under the 'tourist taxi' scheme.
Assistant director in the department of tourism, Anita B R, gave information that approval has been given for three house boat proposals in the district. On the occasion, the issue of widening of beach approach road also was also discussed. It was noted that several works out of Rs 9.13 crore sanctioned to the district by the central government are in progress, and the officials were asked to hasten the implementaiton of remaining works.
The minister asked the deputy commissioner to inform the superintendent of poice and the gram panchayats which need to issue no objection certificates, to see that homestay proposals are cleared as fast as possible, through a circular. He also suggested to conduct a workshop on homestays to educate the concerned.
Representatives of concerns which have got tenders to develop beaches, like Sudesh, Yatish Bykampady, Manohar Shetty and Nagaraj Hebbar of Apna Holidays came up with various suggestions for beach development at the meeting.
What is Scuba diving ?
Scuba diving involves diving underwater with the aim of viewing aqua animals living below the surface of water, coral reefs etc. Scuba is short form for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. The apparatus comes with oxygen cylinder, jacket which protests the body from sea water etc. Before a person dives into the sea, short training is provided. Several beaches all over the world attract tourists mainly for scuba diving which provides the people with unique experience of getting to know the unseen world of aquatic animals and coral reefs which come in all colours, shapes and sizes.