Karnataka plans Goa-like shacks and booze to draw beach tourists; is it feasible?

If we talk about the sun, the sea, the beach, happening nightlife, and great food in India, what comes to mind first? Chances are very high that you answered “Goa”.

It’s strange, though, that of all the states bordering the Arabian Sea, Goa, with its mere 160-km coastline, has turned into a top-notch tourist spot that draws international travellers by the droves. And yet, barring Kerala, the other states, with much bigger coastlines, have done hardly anything to boost beach tourism like Goa.

However, if the Karnataka tourism department has its way, things may soon change for the neighbouring coastal state. But then, will it?

Tourism plans for Karnataka coast

Karnataka has a coastline of 320 km, double the size of Goa, though much smaller than the 590 kms of Kerala. And like Kerala, it has backwaters too.

Of all its beaches, perhaps Gokarna is now the most well-known, drawing peppy young Indians over the past few years with its hippie vibes and yet relatively quieter ambiance than Goa.

To draw more beach-lovers, the Karnataka tourism department has now decided that it would be a good idea to allow shacks and liquor on the state’s beaches along the lines of Goa. The state plans to have tourist tents near beaches too.

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KV Rajendra, director of the Karnataka Tourism Department and MD of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), said at the Connect 2024 event on Wednesday (October 23) that plans are also afoot to light up the beaches better to ensure safety and promote more night-time visits.

Currently, beaches within Mangaluru city allow tourists till 1 am on paper. Yet, the police do not allow people near beaches after 9 pm.

The target spots

While Gokarna may have been the obvious choice for the Goa-like plans, Rajendra said he has directed the district administration to map the coastal area from Batapady Beach to Sasihithlu Beach for the purpose. This region, stretching for some 40 km, is more than 200 km south of Gokarna, around Mangaluru city.

The area between Sasihithlu and Batapady beaches contains several others, including Mukka Beach, Surathkal Beach, Hosabettu Beach, Chitrapura Beach, Panambur Beach, Tannirbhavi Beach, Bengre Beach, and Ullal Beach.

But then, how feasible is it to have Goa-like food shacks, liquor, and hippie vibes in this region? It’s true that Mangaluru, with its delicious coastal seafood, can be a great attraction for tourists. But is coastal Karnataka ready for the bikinis and swimming trunks? Is it ready to turn into a Goa?

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Orthodox culture and moral policing

First things first, Karnataka is a lot more orthodox than Goa. It is still known rather for its historical sites and forests than its beaches. Mangaluru city itself goes to sleep at 9 pm, the reason why tourists are not allowed on the beaches after that even though they can stay on till 1 am on paper.

The Hindutva movement has become particularly strong in coastal Karnataka since the riots and communal tensions in 1990s. Moral policing incidents are regularly reported from Mangaluru. Local vigilante groups target young couples and students, and even assaults and harassment incidents have been reported.

The stretch earmarked by the government houses at least two temples and one mosque. Beaches such as Bengre and Ullal are dominated by a Muslim population. They carry out similar moral policing on those beaches.

Local newspapers have reported close to 100 incidents of moral policing by both Hindu and Muslim groups between 2021 and 2023. In fact, local students say they prefer to plan a beach vacation in Goa.

The Mogaveeras

Another hurdle is the local fishermen community called the Mogaveeras. They are fiercely protective of the sea and don’t want tourists to “pollute” their culture.

They have been quoted in the media as saying proudly that they want their beautiful beaches, hills, and the countryside to remain a secret. They also conduct their own territorial and moral policing of the beaches. They have been known to ask people to leave the water or even beaches if they don’t like their activities.

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Fledgling efforts

In recent years, there have been some efforts to turn the beaches of Karnataka into a surfing and kayaking destination. Some entrepreneurs have started working with the local community, generating employment opportunities for them, including providing meals and training tourists in surfing and kayaking.

Kodi Bengre is one such beach, which now houses some hostels, home stays, and houseboats for travellers. Yet, most tourists barring locals do not even have any information about them. In fact, even local entrepreneurs say they do not want liquor and rowdy crowds on their beaches like in Goa.

One of Karnataka’s best kept secrets are its two “Blue Flag” beaches — a certification awarded by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education to beaches with a certain level of safety, cleanliness, and environment-friendliness. But unless locals want to share their serene beaches with the outside world, government efforts may not bear much fruit.