Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts to implement a structured five-pronged strategy to develop tourism circuits along Karnataka’s coastal belt. The directive was issued during a coastal tourism conclave held in Mangaluru, underscoring the state government’s renewed focus on tourism-led regional development.
The initiative is expected to form the basis of a proposed new coastal tourism policy. Karnataka’s 320-kilometre coastline, known for its beaches, backwaters and river islands, offers significant tourism potential. The government has identified 94 beaches and 21 river islands for focused development, with an emphasis on sustainable tourism and local economic growth.
To streamline planning and execution, the coastal region has been divided into five tourism circuits: marine and island tourism; beach and coastline tourism; backwaters and river island tourism; mountain slopes and temple tourism; and Ghats and hill station tourism. Each circuit is designed to highlight the unique natural, cultural and geographical strengths of the coastal districts.
District administrations have been instructed to prepare detailed development plans for each circuit. Proposed activities include water sports, adventure and aquatic sports, cruise services, fishing and island tourism, sand-based sports, houseboat experiences in backwaters, and trekking routes in hill stations to attract a wide range of visitors.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of integrating cultural tourism into the overall strategy. Traditional coastal events such as kambala (buffalo race) and pilli nalike (tiger dance) will be promoted as key attractions to preserve heritage while enriching visitor experiences.
Additionally, officials have been asked to formulate action plans for naturopathy and health tourism, educational and research centres, music concerts and food festivals. These initiatives aim to highlight the distinctive lifestyle, cuisine and cultural identity of Karnataka’s coastal districts while generating sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
