2010: A year best forgotten for Karwar - SahilOnline.org

Karwar : As 2010 comes to and end, people of the district have little to cheer about, except maybe enjoy the cold winter. The district hit the headlines when forest officials under the direction of the Lokayukta, seized nearly 8 lakh tones of iron ore at Belekeri and Karwar ports in May, on the charge of illegal transportation and stacking.

This was followed by the theft of nearly 5 lakh tones of iron ore in June. These two events had shattered the iron-ore trade in the state, forcing the government to ban ore export from ports.

While the people who suffered air and water pollution generated by the transportation and stacking of the ore, were happy with the ban, the government, particularly the CM who ordered the ban, incurred the displeasure of those involved in the ore trade, including influential politicians.

The district witnessed high political drama when Anand Asnotikar revolted against Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, along with a few other colleagues, He had already caused discomfiture to the Congress leaders by joining the BJP under Operations Lotus.

He sprang a surprise again by supporting an independent candidate in ZP elections in Chendiye ZP segment in Karwar taluk.

There was turmoil when four Congress leaders, including AICC members Monte Fernandez, revolted against the leadership of RV Deshpande. Their suspension and rein-statement soon after Deshpande relinquished office as KPCC president, showed his waning influence in the party. November witnessed the fourth reactor unit of Kaiga nuclear power generating station attaining criticality. However it is certain that the unit with a generating capacity of 220 MW cannot ease the power crisis in the state.

Nearly 22,000 families who encroached forest land launched forest land launched a year long movement in the district demanding forest rights under the ST and other traditional Forest Dwellers Act of 2006. Their problem still remains unresolved.

The CM, who visited the district a couple of times, made a number of promises, including sanction of special grant of Rs 100 crore for the development of the district. The promises still remain on the paper.

A boat tragedy at Tadadi fisheries harbour in which five fishermen died, prompted the government to assure of dredging activities at all fisheries and commercial harbours in the state. Again this is yet to materialize.

Source - Sahil Online
Posted By : I.G. Bhatkali

Karwar - the new destination for this New Year - Times of India

Those headed to Goa for New Year's Eve need not return home disappointed as there's a new beach destination for an alternative. 

Many tourists who could not get rooms at lodges in Goa have arrived at Karwar where lodges and resorts are now houseful till January 5. Most of the resorts and the lodges in Goa were reserved almost three months in advance by tourists who wanted to ring in the New Year here. This caught tourists from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu off guard. 

Police in Goa too discourage heavy inflow of travellers on the eve of New Year as it leads to chaotic traffic and poses security problems. Once the lodges and resorts in Goa are at their full capacity, police block vehicles carrying new tourists at the border till the first week of January. The threat of a terrorist attack in Goa has also had its effect with many people opting for other places to celebrate New Year. One of them being the beaches of neighbouring Uttara Kannada. The tourists visiting Karwar are mainly fromBangalore and Mysore. 

Jayant, a software engineer from Bangalore came to Goa with plans for December 31 but was left without an accommodation. So he changed routes to Karwar. Staying at a resort, he said he found the beaches of Karwar very enjoyable. "Unlike the ones in Goa, the beaches here stretch for miles. The islands in the Kali river and the scenery at the confluence of Kali and the Arabian sea are excellent," he said and plans to stay till January 2. "I intend to visit sometime next year too," he said. 

For others, unavailability isn't always the case. A group of college students from Kolar came to Goa only to find that a basic room costs between Rs3000 and 5000. They too headed to Karwar. "It is cheaper here and the place is very scenic," they said. 

Another tourist lamented that the state tourism department needed to do more to promote Karnataka as a holiday destination. Places like Murudeshwar and Gokarn are not far behind. With plenty of holidaymakers here, hotel owners, tourist guides and cab owners are a happy lot. That makes for a joyous note on which to end 2010.

Read more: Karwar's the new Goa - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Karwars-the-new-Goa/articleshow/7187025.cms#ixzz19ZVEFj80

Karwar and not Goa is the preferred destination for many, this year-end - Indian Express

Karwar and not Goa is the destination for many Bangaloreans and  Maharashtrians this year-end. There has been a heavy rush of tourists here this winter season. All resorts in town are booked up to January 2. Cashing in on the sudden boom, hotels are doing good business.

It was not too long ago that Goa was considered a tourist paradise. Karwar boasts of unparallel scenic beauty. Its 5 km long silvery beach immortalised by Rabindranath Tagore, cluster of islands in the Arabian sea, Kali river and of course the Western Ghat ranges with its green canopy protruding into the sea did not attract the tourists hitherto due to lack of facilities.

The credit goes to Uttara Kannada zilla panchayat, which first mooted the idea of exploring the tourist potential of Karwar, particularly Devabag peninsula at the mouth of the Kali. Though plans were drawn up in the early nineties, no tourism projects could be taken up here due to lack of funds. It was then the Jungle Lodges and Resorts, a state government undertaking, decided to set up a beach resort at Devbag. Later, a number of private resorts mushroomed in and around the town providing the much-needed facilities to the tourists.  

It is not merely the natural splendour that attracts tourists. Karwar is ideal for seekers of peace and tranquility. It provides an exclusive escape for secrecy and solitude. It was on the beach of Karwar that Rabindranath Tagore spent a moonlit night. The beauty of the night was the inspiration for many of his literary works, Tagore wrote in his memoirs.

For adventure lovers, there are many water sports like aqua glide ride, kayaking, water scooter, speed boat ride, snorkelling and para sailing at Devbag. The rich bio diversity of Karwar attracts botanists and environmental scientists. One can ride with fishermen in their boats deep into the sea for a thrilling experience. Swimming is not dangerous in the sea, known for its sublime calmness. Karwar sea is a  natural habitat for dolphins. During the boat ride one can spot the frolicking dolphins.

Local delicacies, particularly fresh sea food is a delight. “We come here because it is a place one only dreams of. It is a fit place to relax,” says a software engineer from Bangalore.


Source - http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/tagore%E2%80%99s-inspiration-is-now-tourists%E2%80%99-spot/234501.html