Cruise on Karnataka’s rivers? Tourism Department on board
The Hindu
With growing demand for cruise tourism around Mangaluru, the Karnataka Maritime Board contemplates the development of an international cruise and tourism port at Someshwara, near Mangaluru International Airport. The port will be dedicated to vessels, yachts and tourism activities.
If the Tourism Department has its way, then tourists in Karnataka can go on a cruise along the National Waterways (NW) of five rivers in the State as the department plans to go full throttle on cruise tourism. With a comprehensive plan for development of coastal tourism, an international cruise tourism port is also expected to come up at Someshwara near Mangaluru.
In a presentation given by the Tourism Department officials recently, it was stated that Kali river (NW 52), Sharavathi river (NW 90). Gurupura river (NW 43), Netravati river (NW 74) and Kabini river (NW 51) have potential for developing river cruise circuits.
The proposed Sharavathi River Cruise across 29 kilometers of NW 90 will offer a multi–modal ecotourism trip covering old Honnavara port, Sharavathi backwaters, Haigunda islands, Shamshi hanging bridge, Lion Tailed Macaque Eco Park, and Jog Falls.
However, environmentalists are not very happy with the department’s plans.
Akhilesh Chippali, an environmentalist, said, “Why do they want to bring in more people to the Western Ghats and exploit it?
“Sharavathi is one of the smallest rivers flowing over 132 kilometres. There are already two projects that are in progress there. If they take up one more, no water will be left in the river. However, it is appreciable that they are planning to do this on the NW. They should decommission the Linganamakki reservoir so that natural justice is given to the farmers and fishermen around.”
The other planned circuit of Kabini River Cruise across 23 kilometres of NW 51 will start from Kabini dam and go to Beeramballi while showcasing the flora and fauna of Nagarahole and Bandipur National Parks.