Where rivers meet mighty Arabian sea

However, there is one such place in Mangalore itself, where two rivers (Nethravathi and Gurpur) meet the mighty Arabian sea.

Though the colour of water usually looks blue (of course water is colourless) in river or sea (light green in some regions), here the colour of water is dark brown, especially at this point (estury - Bengre) where the river water enters the sea. Swimming in the region is 100 per cent dangerous as there is strong under current in the region.

Though one can get a panoramic view from Bengre — Mangalore city on one side, Ullal railway bridge on the other side and remains of breakwater and the mighty Arabian sea on yet other side, the beach is dirty most of the time. In fact, the peculiar problem being faced by the residents of Bengre is filth. All the waste including a large amount of plastic, coconut shells and wooden pieces that flow out of Mangalore joins River Nethravathi or River Gurupur. Though the rivers join the sea, all the waste and filth is accumulated on the shores of Bengre making it a ‘default dumpyard.’

Interestingly, besides a large number of cattle and dogs, one can also find a good number of peacocks and peahens. According to localites, there are quite a few snakes and porcupines too in the thick bushes in the region.According to a localite, a large area in Bengre has been swallowed by the sea over the years. The advancement of sea stopped after huge boulders were dumped to prevent sea erosion when Janardhan Poojary was the Union minister two decades ago.

100 year old settlers

When the Britishers decided to set up a Goods Shed in Mangalore more than 100 years ago, the residents were evacuated and most of them settled in Bengre — which is surrounded by water in t hree sides.

Unlike any other ward in Mangalore City Corporation, Bengre — the last ward in Mangalore City Corporation, has only two areas, namely Thota Bengre and Kasaba Bengre. In Kasaba Bengre, there are over 1,000 families and all belong to Muslim community. On the other hand, there are nearly 900 families in Thota Bengre and almost all are Hindus except a microscopic minority, that include a few Christian families and one family belonging to Scheduled Caste in the entire Bengre.

Tourism potential

A large number of tourists visit Panambur beach.

At the same time, a good number of people visit Tannirbavi (near Port guest house as well as near the Den Den ship which sank). But very few or nobody visits the end point, either due to the distance or perhaps due to filth. But there is ample space in Bengre to develop tourism.

“A little interest by the persons concerned may convert the serene and picturesque Bengre into a tourist hotspot,” opines a resident.

How to reach

If you are going by vehicle, take left after Kuloor bridge and drive for 10 kms untill the road ends (about 6 - 7 kms from Tannirbavi beach). Just 300 metres before the road ends, park your vehicle and walk towards your right.

If you prefer to go by boat, take a boat (Rs 4 for one-way) at Old Port to Thota Bengre and walk to the estury.