Delay on part of the Centre in providing relaxation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms is affecting development of beach tourism in three coastal districts, Youth Affairs Minister Pramod Madhwaraj told Legislative Assembly here on Thursday.
Replying to a question by N A Haris (Cong), Madhwaraj said that the state government had written to the Centre in August 2013 to relax coastal regulations from the present 500 metres to exploit the tourism potential in the districts of Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada districts.
Madhwaraj was replying on behalf of Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge.
Madhwaraj said the state has 42 beaches and four coastal islands with immense tourism potential. However, CRZ norms were coming in the way of developing these destinations.
He said that the state had sought relaxation from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) with regard to coastal regulations. "Such relaxations has been provided to Goa and Kerala. But, we are yet to get a reply from the Centre," he said.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks