Udupi: As a part of the wide variety of programmes planned for the district of Udupi, Pramod Madhwaraj, District in-charge Minister and Minister of State for Fisheries, Sports and Youth Empowerment, inaugurated the Eco-tourism and Responsible Travel Activities at St. Mary’s Island, near here on November 30.
In his inaugural address to the gathering, Madhwaraj said that St. Mary’s Island was one of the most beautiful islands in India adding that the columnar rocks that form the island are found only in African islands.
The island was declared as a “Zero Waste” island in back in 2016 and 450 tonnes of waste has been cleared off the island in the last two years. “I have given special attention and have taken the initiative to develop this beautiful island. This island has been developed using eco-friendly materials, right from the entrance arch to the food court”, he said.
The Malpe Development Committee and Mantra Tourism Development Company are now maintaining this island. Every year Rs 56 Lakh is paid to the Beach Development Committee for this purpose. Speaking more about the tourism aspect of the island, he said that the tourists needed to ensure that they gave importance to the safety and security. He also said that the rates for the food and water had to be approved by the Beach Development Committee.
Facilities like a food court, mobile recharging points, visitors’ lounge, cycles, natural shelters, huts and gazebos, renovated toilets and changing room, freshwater arrangement and storage, power supply, covered waiting area, first aid, lifeguard duty and safety equipment, seating arrangement, island office setup, screening at entrance gate, luggage room, greenery (more than 320 saplings), night security, solid waste management, island marshals, street lights, information centre, souvenir shop and many more have been set up for the tourists.
These renovations have been done to re-position the island as an eco-tourism hot-spot to improve the international tourism rating and to maintain the essential ecological processes and conserve the natural heritage and biodiversity of the island.
Arun Kumar, Project Director, Udupi Nirmithi Kendra, Sudesh Shetty, Malpe Beach and St. Mary’s Island In-charge Authority, Mantra Tourism Development Company and Ganesh Malpe, Boat owner were felicitated by the minister at the short programme held on the island.
Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, Udupi CMC President, Sandhya Tilakraj, Vice President, Udupi CMC, Anitha B, Assistant Director, Tourism Department, Udupi, municipal councillors Narayan Kundar, Vijay Kundar, Harmis Noronha, Ganesh Nergi and Chandrakanth Naik were present.
Manjunathiah, Udupi CMC Commissioner compered the programme and delivered the keynote address.
