BENGALURU, November 12: Karnataka is set to transform seven relatively unexplored islands off the Uttara Kannada coast into major tourism destinations, with the state government approving a Rs 307.71-crore project aimed at attracting domestic and international visitors to its Arabian Sea coastline.
The ambitious initiative will be implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model and envisages the development of resorts, hotels, adventure tourism facilities and island-hopping experiences. The project is expected to create a new tourism circuit along the Uttara Kannada coast by combining the region's natural attractions with planned infrastructure and recreational facilities.
According to a government notification, six greenfield islands and one brownfield island spread across Karwar, Ankola and Bhatkal taluks will be developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The proposed infrastructure includes more than 300 hotel rooms and accommodation facilities capable of hosting thousands of tourists every day.
The government hopes the project will attract private investment, generate employment and strengthen Karnataka's coastal tourism economy while bringing lesser-known island destinations into the international travel spotlight.
Seven Islands Identified for Tourism Development
The seven islands selected for the project are Madhyalingad (Sanyasi Island), Hog Island, Devgad (Oyster Rock), Mongeraguda, Kiri Kunda, Ankani Cheggudu and Kurumgad.
Together, the islands cover approximately 135.04 acres, of which 59.31 acres have been earmarked for tourism-related development. The scale and nature of infrastructure on each island will depend on the designated development area and environmental considerations.
The selected locations are spread across three coastal taluks:
Madhyalingad or Madligad Island (Sanyasi Island): Located in Karwar taluk.
Devgad Island (Oyster Rock): Situated off the Karwar coast and known for its historic lighthouse.
Kurumgad Island: Located near Karwar, the turtle-shaped island is known for its Narasimha Temple and adventure tourism activities.
Mongeraguda: A picturesque island in the Karwar region.
Ankani Cheggudu: Located in Ankola taluk.
Hog Island: Situated off the coast of Bhatkal taluk.
Kiri Kunda or Kirikonda Island: A small island in Bhatkal taluk.
The proposed development is expected to expand the range of tourism experiences available in Uttara Kannada, a district known for its coastline, beaches, forests and marine attractions.
Resorts, Island-Hopping and Adventure Tourism Planned
The government intends to develop the islands as eco-tourism destinations, with resorts, accommodation facilities, recreational activities and adventure sports. Island-hopping facilities are also part of the plan, potentially allowing visitors to explore multiple destinations during a single trip.
The initiative is expected to complement existing island tourism attractions in the district. Netrani Island, near Murudeshwar, is already popular among visitors for scuba diving, while Basavaraj Durga Island off Honnavar is another recognised island destination.
By adding seven more locations to the tourism network, Karnataka aims to create a wider coastal tourism offering that combines nature-based travel, heritage attractions, marine activities and leisure experiences.
Devgad Receives Highest Proposed Investment
Devgad Island in Karwar has attracted the highest proposed investment among the seven locations, at Rs 74.99 crore. Hog Island in Bhatkal is next, with a proposed investment of Rs 59.99 crore.
The investment proposals for the remaining islands are:
Madhyalingad (Sanyasi Island): Rs 45 crore
Kurumgad Island: Rs 39.76 crore
Ankani Cheggudu: Rs 36 crore
Mongeraguda: Rs 27.98 crore
Kiri Kunda: Rs 23.99 crore
An engineer from the Infrastructure Development, Ports and Inland Water Transport Department said Kurumgad had been classified as a brownfield island, indicating the presence of existing infrastructure or development. The other six locations have been categorised as greenfield projects, requiring fresh infrastructure.
More Than 300 Hotel Rooms, Capacity for 2,600 Tourists Daily
The proposed infrastructure is expected to significantly increase accommodation capacity along this stretch of the Karnataka coast.
According to preliminary estimates shared by a government official, the seven islands will together have 318 hotel rooms and the capacity to accommodate approximately 2,606 tourists a day.
The government expects the planned facilities to help convert the islands' natural attractions into a structured tourism economy. The proposed accommodation and recreational infrastructure will be developed within the areas identified for the project, subject to the applicable environmental and regulatory requirements.
Private Developers to Be Selected Through Competitive Bidding
Private developers will be selected through a competitive bidding process. The highest revenue-sharing offer will serve as the primary criterion for selecting the concessionaire.
The projects will be awarded under a 30-year concession agreement, with an option to extend the period by another 30 years, subject to the required approvals and fulfilment of prescribed conditions.
The Karnataka Maritime Board will oversee the implementation and monitoring of the island development projects.
The initiative is also expected to provide a revenue stream for the state government. The total annual concession fee payable during the first year has been estimated at Rs 8.70 crore. In addition, the authority is projected to earn approximately Rs 145.87 crore through revenue-sharing arrangements over the concession period.
Environmental Clearances and Carrying Capacity Assessments Required
Despite the scale of the proposed tourism investment, the government has emphasised that environmental protection must remain central to the development process.
Private developers will be required to prepare Integrated Island Management Plans (IIMPs) and obtain all necessary statutory approvals, including clearances from the Environment and Forest departments.
Carrying capacity assessments will determine the extent of permissible development and tourism activity on each island. These assessments are intended to establish the level of visitor movement and infrastructure that the fragile island ecosystems can sustain without suffering environmental damage.
The requirement is particularly significant because island environments can be sensitive to construction, waste generation, water consumption and increased tourist movement. The proposed development will therefore have to comply with the prescribed environmental safeguards and regulatory conditions.
Karnataka Seeks to Strengthen Its Coastal Tourism Economy
The seven-island development project marks an effort by Karnataka to expand its tourism footprint beyond established destinations and make better use of the largely unexplored attractions along the Uttara Kannada coast.
If implemented as planned, the Rs 307.71-crore initiative could create new opportunities for tourism investment, hospitality businesses, local employment and allied economic activities. The proposed resorts, adventure facilities and island-hopping experiences could also help attract visitors seeking nature-based and coastal holidays.
With private participation, planned infrastructure and environmental safeguards forming the basis of the project, Karnataka is seeking to position its Arabian Sea islands as distinctive destinations in India's growing coastal and island tourism market.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
