Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Nov 17: Minister for youth affairs and sports, Pramod Madhwaraj, blamed the union government for delay in allowing relaxations in Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) rules. He said that this delay is adversely affecting beach tourism plans in coastal districts of the state.

Madhwaraj revealed that the state had taken up the issue and urged the central government to allow leniency in some of these norms as far back as August 2013 itself. "We had urged the centre to relax norms for the specific purpose of putting to use tourism potential of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts. We have 42 beaches and four coastal islands, all of which have bright prospects of turning into huge tourist attractions. But CRZ norms have tied our hands in making use of tourism potentials of these spots. We have been unable to develop these destinations," he said, expressing helplessness.

The minister pointed out that these relaxations have been extended to Goa and Kerala states, which had approached the centre with similar requests. He rued the fact that the department of environment and forests has not responded to the request favourably so far.

MLA, J R Lobo, was of the opinion that the state has lost the bright chance of earning revenue and generating employment,which would have benefitted the state had these spots been developed. It is learnt that 28 cruise ships had cancelled their proposed visit to the state's coastal areas because of poor facilities at the beaches.

Madhwaraj, who was replying to a query raised by N A Harris during the question hour about the failure to develop beaches in the state in tune with Goa and Kerala, concurred with Lobo's view that visit by foreign tourists to New Mangalore Port has fallen on account of the failure to develop the area as it falls under the jurisdiction of the central government.