Bhatkal: With the Karnataka government actively working to boost tourism along the state’s coastline, efforts have intensified to develop large-scale tourism projects in Bhatkal taluk, which includes the well-known Murdeshwar coast. Until now, tourism activities in the region were largely concentrated around Murdeshwar and Netrani Island, regarded as India’s second-best destination for scuba diving after the Andaman Islands. However, the government is now planning to extend these activities to nearby coastal areas such as Alvekodi, Tenginagundi, and Bailur.
As part of this initiative, proposals are being considered to develop Kunda and Mini Kunda islands, located about two to two-and-a-half kilometres from the Tenginagundi and Alvekodi coastline, for tourism purposes. Sources said that surveys of both islands have already been completed and preliminary discussions have begun on the types of tourism activities that can be introduced there.
Development Within CRZ Norms
As Kunda and Mini Kunda islands are located very close to the Bhatkal coastline, the state government is not expected to face major legal hurdles in utilising them. Under the proposed plan, tourists visiting Bhatkal and Murdeshwar would be able to explore nearby islands through boat services. This development is expected to benefit not only tourists from outside the region but also residents of Bhatkal town and surrounding villages, many of whom regularly visit beaches and hotels with their families during weekends. For locals, the initiative is being viewed as a “paradise at their doorstep.”
Murdeshwar and Netrani Island have already gained global recognition for water sports and scuba diving activities. If destinations such as the Venktapur river area and Kunda islands are added to the tourism circuit, overall tourism development in the region is expected to reach a new level. However, under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, no construction activity can be undertaken on the islands without prior approval, posing a significant challenge for the state tourism department. Despite this, activities such as boating, sea cruising, and scuba diving are said to have strong potential.
Growing Interest in Sea Cruising
It may be recalled that the government had proposed mini cruising in the previous budget. While boating activities later gained momentum in places like the Sharavathi river at Honavar, limited attention was paid to sea cruising. Now, discussions are underway to introduce mini cruise services centred around Mangaluru, Maravanthe, Murdeshwar, and Karwar. Sources added that construction work on a small port at Murdeshwar has already begun, and several entrepreneurs have shown interest in investing in these projects with government support.
If these proposals materialise, Bhatkal and its surrounding coastal belt could soon emerge as one of Karnataka’s prominent and attractive tourism destinations.