JOIN US'CRZ rules obstacle to explore tourism potential'
He was speaking after inaugurating the World Tourism Day-2011 celebrations organised with the concept of “Tourism Linking Cultures” by District Administration and District Tourism Department here on Tuesday. He said earlier governments would offer meager amount of funds to develop tourism as compared to the funds allotted these days. As many as Rs 187 crore budget has been envisioned to promote tourism during the current fiscal year. In this backdrop, the most essential issue to be taken into consideration is the relaxation of CRZ rules. It is the major obstacle towards exploiting available beach tourism potentials.
Industrialists are not coming forward owing to the CRZ rules. It has been designed unscientifically, he added.Bhat said at least CRZ norms should be relaxed at State-level. It should be reduced to 200 meters, he opined and added that beach tourism should be developed in the model adopted by the governments of Kerala and Goa.
State government has allotted Rs 2 crore to upgrade the harbours at Malpe and St Mary’s island. Experts’ reports on plans deciding over setting up of floating harbor or permanent harbor at St Mary’s island is expected within a week.
The foundation stone laying ceremony for Madhwacharya statue built at the cost of Rs 3 crore at Malpe beach is performed and the work is expected to get over shortly. The Suralu Palace is renovated at the cost of Rs 1.60 crore.
The actual amount needed to get the palace entirely renovated is around Rs 10 crore.
However, we have managed to repair the palace with available sum of money. A task force committee for developing tourism in the district involving private parties is the need of hour. The DC should head the task force committee, he said.