DK, Udupi beaches to be developed on lines of Blue Flag beach

MANGALURU: With the Union government hoping for Blue Flag certification for nearly 100 beaches on India’s coastline in the next five years, the tourism departments of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have decided to develop beaches in a phased manner, on the lines of Padubidri beach, that was recently certified Blue Flag beach. Across the coast, the weekend recorded recorded a huge rise in footfall in many beaches.
Somashekar BK, assistant director, tourism department, Dakshina Kannada, told TOI, “The district tourism development committee has decided to develop the beaches on the lines of Blue Flag beach. Seven beaches have been identified for development and maintenance on a public-private partnership model. The aim is to develop beaches on international standards,” he said.
With Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project handing over the reins of management of the beach back to the district administration, Somashekar said, tenders will be invited by the end of this year. Local fishermen will continue as lifeguards and Coast Guard and the police will keep a watch over the beach to prevent any untoward incident.
Chandrashekar Naik, assistant director, tourism department, Udupi, said 17 beaches including smaller beaches have been identified. While for smaller beaches the focus will be on beach-front development including providing basic amenities, the bigger beaches will be developed in phases on the lines of Padubidri’s Blue Flag beach, he said.
Beach safety
As the Beach Rejuvenation Army with around 100 volunteers led by Damodar Hegde and Ganesh Mulky Nayak cleaned the Tannirbavi beach, Partha Varanashi, director, Surf Lifesaving, India (affiliated to Rashtriya Life Saving Society) and coach Niroop GR went around asking volunteers if they were interested in knowing about beach safety. “Soon, we had a small gathering of 50 volunteers and we demonstrated CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), what to do in case of a drowning incident, information on different currents in the sea including rip and various life-saving techniques. We hope to make this a weekly affair at the beach,” said Niroop. The programme was conducted in association with Yojaka Private Limited.