Surathkal: Water sports are receiving more encouragement along the rivers here which increase the beauty of Karavali. Since the day the district administration organised River Festival at Phalguni River near Kulur, more people are opting for boating here on Saturday and Sunday.
People are enjoying the river through boats and participating in adventure sports like Jet Ski, kayaking and other water sports. Children are more attracted towards kayaking. Since there is good connecting road to the temporary jetty near Kulur-Tannirbavi, the locals as well as tourists visiting Mangaluru find it easier to reach the location.
Creation of jetty at three rivers
The district administration which is enthusiastic to promote tourism by developing the rivers which are in neglect, it is has thought of constructing jetties at Phalguni, Netravati and Shambhavi rivers. The Tourism Department has been notified to construct jetties at 12 locations along Phalguni and Netravati rivers to facilitate the arrival and departure of tourist boats.
There is immense opportunity for tourism in rivers and it will be convenient for the use, importance and development of the rivers, hopes the district administration.
What sports will be encouraged?
Kerala holds the first position in making effective use of rivers for tourism. The direct competition for this is Karnataka’s Karavali. Karavali Utsav, Beach Festival, Surfing Competition and Angling tournaments organised along the coasts and banks attract the people towards them. Several adventure water sport institutions have personally shown interest and come forward to attract the attention of the people towards rowing, kayaking, stand up paddling, wind surfing, jet ski, speed boat and several other water sports.
The district administration has decided to provide opportunity for scuba diving. There is open opportunity to participate and watch adventure sports.
Thoughts to participate in water sports
Considering the increase in the number of people participating in the three day river Festival, the district administration has taken it as an inspiration and not only attempting to promote commercial tourism. Instead, along with traditional tourism, destinations frequented by families are also being developed. The district administration has thought to use 23 acres of government land at Bangra Kulur for water sports in the future.
Development with small grants
The district administration has thought that Tannirbavi and Sasihitlu beaches are good locations for surfing and has come forward to develop them under small grants. Since big projects take more time, the administration has thought of further developing the available facilities, identify tourist destinations and provide restroom, clothes changing room, benches for seating and other facilities.
Tourism development
“River Festival was organised for the first time with assistance for the local fishermen and it was successful. There is no better natural place for water sports than DK. By making use of this, dates had already been fixed for the organization of several national and international level water sports events. Due to some reasons it has been postponed. We will do it again. We have already provided encouragement for those conducting water sports near Kulur River. Tourism needs to be used through micro system,” said
Sasikanth Senthil, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada
Special Report
