Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 27: Participants of meeting convened at Kediyoor Hotel auditorium here on Tuesday October 26 were of the general opinion that the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Act is detrimental to the interests of tourism industry in the state. “The Coastal Regulatory Zone – 2010’ rules published by the union ministry of environment and forests will deliver a severe blow to the beach tourism potential of Karnataka. In addition to creating innumerable problems for those who live near the seashore, the said act nips in the bud, the tourism potential of the state,” it concluded.

The meeting was organized under the aegis of the Association of Coastal Tourism. Advisor to the organization, Janardan Maravante, explained that no activity can be undertaken up to a distance of 200 metres from the shoreline under the said act. “This will adversely impact the people, who have traditionally lived by the side of the sea. Besides, development of beach tourism, which has a rich potential, will become impossible. As objections if any to these rules have to be filed with the union government before November 20, all the gram panchayats located between Karwar and Ullal should take steps to bring pressure on the state and central government, to extend concessions on the lines of Kerala and Goa states,” he explained.

Entrepreneur, Bhuvanendra Kediyoor, speaking on the occasion, felt that Karnataka is placed better in terms of geographical location and natural resources, as compared to Goa and Kerala, for improving tourism. He was of the opinion that the government has not been extending the encouragement is expected to, to this sector.

Yatish Bykampady, speaking on the occasion, noted that certain concessions have been extended to Gujarat, Navi Mumbai, Goa and Kerala states from the provisions of the CRZ Act. He noted that the act has been already been ammended 25 times, but remains hostile to the common people and tourism-related entrepreneurs. Harishchandra, official of the state tourism department, informed that a proposal has already been sent to the government to reduce the regulatory zone from the current 500 metres to 100 metres from the shoreline, in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Entrepreneurs like Manohar Shetty, Shashidhar Shetty and Abdul Chacko were present. Nagaraj Hebbar and Chandrakant conducted the programme. Sudhir Kanchan proposed the vote of thanks.