Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 24: Panambur happens to be an important beach in Karnataka. Currently, the issue of maintaining the beach is in the court. The contract of an organization which managed the beach for 12 years came to an end recently. At the same time, contract was renewed for both the beaches at Tannirbavi two years back, but official order has not yet been issued.

Tourists coming to Dakshina Kannada district from other parts of the country and abroad mostly visit these beaches. It is very much necessary to provide facilities to the visitors, maintaining the beach, and looking after the safety of visitors. The tourism sector, about which lot of deliberation takes places, does not seem to have improved its functioning during the last several years.

Panambur beach (file photo)

About a decade back, tourism had not grown like it is now. People did not visit the beaches much and maintenance was not extremely necessary. But with the increase in the number of tourists, many whose behaviour leaves much to be desired also visit the beaches and unless there is proper supervision, the spots may earn a bad reputation for themselves.

Panambur beach development project which maintained Panambur beach has stopped operations some days back. But because many people come to the beach, life guards are on duty but there is no one to maintain the beach. Head of the organisation, Yathish Baikampady, says that they were given the tender for ten years. It was to be renewed for every five years and cancellation of contract can be done only if the service is bad. He said that 380 people were saved from drowning, and that even though they had managed the beach well, their contract was ended at the end of 12 years.

Both the beaches at Tannirbavi were maintained by Yojaka organization. Their period ended two years back after which tender was floated again. Yathish's organisation won the tender but official order was not issued. Now Yojaka has approached the deputy commissioner's court. As per interim order, Yojaka has to maintain the beach till the next order.

Through an order the deputy commissioner has formed Panambur Beach Management Committee headed by city corporation joint commissioner to keep an eye on Panambur beach till the next contactor takes over. Assistant director of tourism, Somashekkhar, says that tender could have been extended if the beaches were maintained at international level. He remarked that beach maintenance was not to the expected level. He says that compared to beaches in Udupi district, it is not enough, duly adding that fresh tenders will be called for both Panambur and Tannirbavi beaches.