Coastal Karnataka Looks To Cabinet For Tourism, Tulu Push

The meeting, to be chaired by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, is being held with a focus on the overall development of the coastal districts. The government has asked departments to prepare proposals concerning the region for consideration at the meeting.

While expectations range from better infrastructure and healthcare to fisheries, industries and employment, tourism and the status of Tulu have emerged as two issues likely to attract particular attention.

The idea of holding the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru is understood to have taken shape after Shivakumar chaired a meeting on tourism and coastal development soon after he took charge as the Chief Minister. Officials have since been working on proposals relating to tourism and infrastructure, sources said.

A formal decision on the proposals, however, will depend on the Cabinet agenda and the decisions taken at the meeting. However, everybody expects the government to make some major announcements related to tourism.

“We are hopeful that the government may make some major announcement in connection with tourism,” said Yathish Baikampady, former CEO of the Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project.

Among the demands from the tourism sector is the creation of artificial reefs a few metres off the coast.

Baikampady said such reefs could help check sea erosion while preserving the natural appearance of beaches, instead of relying on boulders and stones. They could also provide breeding grounds for fish, benefiting fishermen and creating possibilities for scuba diving, he said.

“If fishing activity increases, the coast will naturally become more secure as fishermen will keep a tab on every movement,” he added.
The long-standing demand for inclusion of Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution requires a decision at the Centre. However, the demand for recognising Tulu as the second official language of Karnataka has gained momentum in recent days, as this is an issue that can be decided by the State government.
Language activist Bharathesh Alasandemajalu has also called for official language status for Tulu, highlighting the language's history, literature and culture and urging the government to protect and promote it for future generations.

The demand has gathered further momentum ahead of the Cabinet meeting, with Tulu organisations and activists seeking official language status for the language.

There are also expectations of a push for the IT-BT sector under the ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ move. With private players have taken initiative in expanding the IT sector in Mangaluru, a government-backed initiative could provide further impetus to the sector.

There are also expectations of a package or other assistance for arecanut and other crops that form an important part of the coastal economy.

The list of demands before the government is much wider. The BJP's Dakshina Kannada unit has submitted a 44-point memorandum to the Chief Minister, with Tulu as the second official language among its key demands, besides a special task force against drug addiction and a package for temple tourism.

The CPI(M), meanwhile, has called for a people-centric development policy, raising issues ranging from healthcare, education, housing and employment to fisheries, agriculture, roads, transport and environmental protection.

It has also announced plans to submit a memorandum of demands during a march in Mangaluru on September 18.