Pramod Madhwaraj opens Eco-tourism and Responsible Travel Activities at St Mary’s Island
Udupi: The Inauguration of Eco-tourism and Responsible Travel Activities at St Mary’s Island organised by the District administration and Malpe Development Committee was held on November 30.
Pramod Madhwaraj district Minister In-charge, Udupi district inaugurated the Eco-tourism and Responsible Travel Activities at St Mary’s Island.
Addressing gathering minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that eco-tourism is promoted in the district to enhance quality tourism potentials besides safeguarding the interest of the environment. The initiatives are taken for responsible travel activities which ensure discipline in terms of promoting eco-tourism. The island was neglected for many years although it has significance in the legacy of the ancient rock formation. The columnar rocks in St Mary’s are unique which is only found in African islands.
He added that use of plastics would be strictly banned and all possible measures would be taken to avoid the collection of garbage. In 2016, the island was declared as zero waste Island and the beach development committee was directed to take up initiatives in this direction. Rs 80 lakh was spent on building toilets and gazebos in the initial phase, which was introduced recently and the CRZ and archeological restrictions were taken care off.
He stressed on curbing the commercialization of the area and added that the traveler should be charged a decent fare for all the facilities offered. The list of the price should be put up so that it is well defined that the consumer is not overcharged. The funds collected from tourists would be utilized to maintain the Island. He urged the visitors to maintain the sanctity of the place similar to that of the places of worship in terms of pollution free ambiance. He added that any sort of illegal activity in the area will be sternly dealt with.
Manjunathaiah secretary of Malpe beach development committee and commissioner of Udupi Municipality said that in the last two years, an attempt has been made to re-position the Island as an eco-tourism hotspot. Though many activities will be introduced at the St Mary’s Island, there will be several restrictions too. St. Mary’s Island is going to be a zero waste zone. No food from outside will be allowed. People can take in only water bottles with stickers on them, which they will have to bring back.
Facilities such as food court, huts and gazebos, renovated toilets and changing rooms, fresh water arrangement and storage, covered waiting area, first aid, lifeguard duty and safety equipment, better security, solid waste management, information centre and souvenir shop have been set up. Activities to be introduced are Jet Ski, snorkelling, diving, scuba diving, parasailing, banana ride, circling the island, dolphin sighting, angling, stand up paddle and swimming. Several trails such as Basalt rock trails, flora and fauna trails and island cycling trails are being introduced, he added.
Meenakshi Madhava Bannanje president Udupi CMC, Sandhya Thilakraj vice president CMC, CMC Udupi councillors Narayana Kunder, Ramesh Kanchan, Ganesh Nergi, Harmis Noronha, Chandrakanth Naik, Deputy Director of Tourism department Anitha and others were present.
