Karwar: The Uttar Kannada district administration is promoting tourism in a big way giving an opportunity for the tourists and nature lovers to explore the abundant hidden beauty of the district.
The district, rich in forest wealth, has a very long coastline alone with rivers and streams that adorn the tourist map.
The district administration launched a programme to enable tourists explore the beauty in abundance through a trek to Guddehalli peak recently, a promising tourist destination. It roped in state tourism department, Dr. Rabindranath Coastline Development Board and Leisure Routes based in Mangaluru for the trek expedition.
Assistant Commissioner Shivanand Karale flagged of the trek. In the maiden expedition Marathon-360, an 18-member group from Bengaluru took part.
The beautiful coastline, winding Kali River, serene Western Ghat range is good enough to attract tourists to this district. Guddehalli peak is 800 meters above sea level located at a distance of 7.5 kms from Araga, a small hamlet on the outskirts of Karwar. Standing atop the peak, one can get an aerial view of Karwar city, Kali river, Seabird Naval Project, Commercial Port, Belekeri Port, Konkan Railway line and many more in the midst of greenery and blue sea waters to soothe troubled hearts at any given time of the day.
The district administration coordinates to take the tourist and trekkers to Guddehalli peak through Araga by foot. They will be provided tents en route to experience the lives of locals and fed with local delicacies. Delicious items made of rice, ragi, varieties of fish, chicken are part of the menu for foodies to choose from.
Traditional equipment like grinding stone for grinding rice, ragi and a large pestle for powdering millets are shown.Tourists are allowed to stay in the miniature tree houses put up by locals to safeguard their yield from wild animal attack.
When the twilight dusk sets in, visitors are given an opportunity to a get a feel of local culture.They include singing and dancing along with the locals to beats of drums accompanied by soul stirring folk songs. Accompaniments enhance the spirit associated with the occasion.
It is a sincere effort by the district administration to promote local culture and rural lifestyle. The local villagers are given honorarium to support them economically in order to engage them on a continuous basis for promoting local tourism.
