Karnataka to draft Coastal-Malnad tourism policy by Sept 7: Minister K.J. George
Synopsis
Karnataka is racing to unlock the tourism potential of its Coastal and Malnad belts with a dedicated policy due by September 7 — but the draft must navigate CRZ rules, eco-sensitive restrictions, Forest Department hurdles, and the region's historically communally sensitive backdrop, all at once.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka will draft a dedicated Coastal–Malnad Tourism Policy by September 7 , announced Energy and Tourism Minister K.J.
George on 21 August .
A consultation at Vidhana Soudha gathered elected representatives from both regions to discuss investment hurdles and tourism potential.
Sunil Kumar proposed a single-window system to simplify inter-departmental approvals for tourism projects.
Mangaluru District In-charge Minister U.T.
Khader flagged CRZ , eco-sensitive, and Forest Department regulations as key obstacles to tourism development.
A Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru is expected shortly to examine the proposed policy before finalisation.
The policy comes amid the region's historically complex communal environment, which the government says it intends to address alongside economic development.
The Karnataka government is finalising a dedicated tourism policy for the Coastal and Malnad regions, with Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George announcing on Friday, 21 August that the draft is expected to be ready by September 7. The proposed Coastal–Malnad Tourism Policy aims to unlock the economic and tourism potential of two of the state's most scenic but historically under-tapped belts.
What the Proposed Policy Covers
The policy is designed to harness the twin regions' strengths — beaches, religious and cultural sites, forests, and nature-based attractions — while simultaneously easing the regulatory bottlenecks that have long stalled tourism investment. According to Minister George, the draft will incorporate suggestions gathered from elected representatives and will be followed by further consultations before finalisation.
A Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru is expected to be convened shortly to examine the policy and take forward decisions, George added.
Key Suggestions from Elected Representatives
Minister George chaired a consultation at Vidhana Soudha on Friday, attended by legislators and district in-charge ministers from the Coastal and Malnad belts. The discussion centred on investment opportunities, tourism potential, and the procedural difficulties faced by tourism projects in securing approvals from multiple government departments.
MLA V. Sunil Kumar proposed a single-window system to streamline inter-departmental approvals and attract investment to the coastal region. Mangaluru District In-charge Minister U.T. Khader acknowledged the region's immense tourism potential but pointed to regulatory constraints — particularly those relating to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), eco-sensitive areas, and the Forest Department — as persistent obstacles. He called for a review of approval mechanisms while maintaining environmental safeguards.
Udupi District In-charge Minister Rizwan Arshad urged the policy to address operating-hour norms and other requirements for hotels and tourism establishments, suggesting these be calibrated to actual tourist demand and the nature of activities in each area.
The Communal Sensitivity Context
The policy push comes against a complex backdrop. Parts of coastal Karnataka have historically been regarded as communally sensitive, with the region having witnessed instances of tension and politically and communally-linked violence in the past. The government's stated goal is to promote economic activity and tourism while addressing the challenges that have historically affected development in these areas.
Who Attended and What Comes Next
The consultation was attended by Tourism Department Secretary Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar and several elected representatives including Captain Brijesh Chota, Kote Srinivas Poojary, Manjunath Bhandary, Ivan D'Souza, Harish Poonja, Umanath A. Kotyan, Bharath Shetty Y., D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Rajesh Naik U., Bhagirathi Murulya, Ashok Kumar Rai, Gururaj Shetty Gantihole, A. Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Yashpal Suvarna, and Gurme Suresh Shetty, among others.
George stated that all suggestions received would be examined for inclusion in the draft. 'The Coastal and Malnad regions are among Karnataka's key tourism assets. To fully realise their tourism potential, we need a comprehensive policy that takes into account local requirements and the suggestions of elected representatives,' he said. The government hopes that improved infrastructure, simplified approvals, and greater private investment will collectively strengthen tourism across both regions.
Point of View
But the September 7 deadline is ambitious given the layers of regulatory conflict — CRZ norms, Forest Department jurisdiction, and eco-sensitive designations rarely yield to single-window fixes without Centre-level coordination. The communal sensitivity of the coastal belt adds a dimension that a tourism policy alone cannot resolve; investors evaluating the region weigh law-and-order optics as heavily as approval timelines. The real test will be whether the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru produces enforceable regulatory relief or simply another well-intentioned draft.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka Coastal-Malnad Tourism Policy?
It is a proposed comprehensive tourism policy for Karnataka's Coastal and Malnad regions, aimed at promoting beaches, forests, religious sites, and nature-based tourism while easing regulatory approvals for investment. The draft is expected to be ready by September 7, following a stakeholder consultation held on 21 August at Vidhana Soudha.
Who announced the September 7 deadline for the tourism policy draft?
Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George announced the deadline on Friday, 21 August, after chairing a consultation with elected representatives from the Coastal and Malnad regions at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
What regulatory hurdles does coastal Karnataka tourism face?
Tourism projects in the region frequently face delays due to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, eco-sensitive area designations, and Forest Department approvals. Mangaluru District In-charge Minister U.T. Khader raised these issues at the consultation and called for a review of approval mechanisms while maintaining environmental safeguards.
What is the single-window system proposed for coastal Karnataka?
MLA V. Sunil Kumar proposed a single-window clearance mechanism to consolidate inter-departmental approvals for tourism projects in the coastal region, reducing the time and complexity investors face when seeking permissions from multiple government bodies.
What happens after the draft policy is prepared?
Minister K.J. George said further consultations will be held after the draft is ready. A Cabinet meeting is expected to be convened in Mangaluru to examine the proposed policy and take further decisions before it is finalised.
