Mangaluru (Karnataka), Sep 18: The Karnataka Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday approved a slew of tourism projects across the coastal and Malnad regions, including island development and tourism infrastructure at four locations.
The Cabinet also approved the Coastal and Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026 and a Coastal Tourism Perspective Plan aimed at providing an integrated framework for tourism development, investment and infrastructure in the region.
Karnataka's coastline, called Karavali in Kannada, stretches about 320 kilometers along the Arabian Sea from Mangaluru in the south to Karwar in the north. It also inhabits various famous religious sites, including the temple town of Udupi, Murudeshwar and Gokarna.
"For fisheries, religious tourism and the coastal region, we are bringing in a separate tourism policy. There have been different tourism policies in the state, but this policy is intended to strengthen those undertaking new tourism projects," Shivakumar said.
According to him, tourism-related investment proposals will be considered as infrastructure projects.
The main objective is to give greater support to those investing in tourism, Shivakumar said.
Since these are largely greenfield projects, they need additional support and sufficient time to repay their loans, the chief minister said.
He further explained that the new tourism policy covers both the Malnad and coastal regions.
Under the island development programme, projects worth Rs 125.43 crore were approved for the northern and southern islands of the Gurupura River in Mangaluru taluk, including a 30-berth marina and 32 eco-huts.
In Uttara Kannada, seven islands across Karwar, Bhatkal and Ankola taluks will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 307.71 crore, while eco-tourism projects across 26.69 acres on Ayaba, Darya Bahadur Gad and Malpe islands in Udupi will cost Rs 279.03 crore.
The island projects will be implemented under the public-private partnership Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer model, with a 30-month period for statutory approvals followed by a 30-year lease period. The government will receive revenue through a minimum two per cent revenue share and annual lease fees.
The Cabinet also approved development of tourism and hospitality infrastructure around the Mangaluru lighthouse on 1.5 acres at a cost of Rs 60.34 crore. The project will include a 35-room three-star or higher-category facility while ensuring conservation of the lighthouse.
Four tourism projects with a combined investment of Rs 238 crore were also cleared. They include a Rs 73-crore riverfront wellness resort at Kodikal, a Rs 53-crore beach-front glamping, ocean experience centre and expo zone at Tannirbhavi, a Rs 48-crore resort and adventure zone at Trasi-Maravanthe and a Rs 64-crore eco-tourism resort at Ravooru in Chikkamagaluru.
The Coastal Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026 seeks to develop tourism infrastructure and connectivity, promote investment and ease of doing business, and create training and employment opportunities for local people.
It identifies nine priority tourist circuits -- beach and surf, cruise and backwater, pilgrimage and heritage, food, coffee and plantation, Western Ghats ecology and adventure, and monsoon circuits.
The policy, to be implemented at a cost of Rs 500 crore, provides for a State Tourism Board headed by the CM, Tourism Investment Facilitation Centres and single-window systems for investors. Tourism will also be accorded industry status, with property-tax exemptions in tourism investment promotion areas and other incentives.
The Cabinet also approved a Coastal Tourism Perspective Plan to assess tourism assets, infrastructure, environmental and regulatory frameworks and development challenges, besides identifying investment priorities and institutional arrangements.
It further approved allotment of 10 acres at Badaga Ekkaru village near Surathkal to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for construction of a Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple and Kalyana Mantapa.
The Cabinet also approved revision of Karnataka's Coastal Zone Management Plan 2019 following representations from fishermen, tourism stakeholders, landowners, local bodies and district administrations seeking changes to maps and their alignment with ground realities.
