Karwar: Uttara Kannada district, which has abundant built and natural heritage, is known as ‘Kashmir of Karnataka.’

Beautiful beaches, enchanting water falls, and historical monuments beckon tourists. Better infrastructure facilities provided at these places have added value to the cultural and natural heritages sites of the districts.

The State government has allotted Rs 239.87 crore for tourism development in the district. This fund has been utilised for constructing Yatri Nivas, providing basic facilities like drinking water, toilets facility, gardens around tourist sports and other related activities. This has helped in attracting more and more tourists to the district. The number of tourists visiting the district has considerably increased.

The district has more than 140 Km of sea shore from Bhatkal to Karwar. As many as 20 beaches come in this stretch. The government has spent Rs 32 crore to develop footpath, sitting arrangement, highmost lighting facility, solid waste management, parking facility, life saving boats, food court and connecting roads.

There are hundreds of falls in the district which are beckoning the tourists. Basic infrastructure facilities like connecting roads have been developed at Jog Falls, Vibhuti Falls, Shivaganga Falls, Unchalli Falls, Satodi Falls, and Magod Falls at a cost of Rs 2.12 crore.

Tourism Department has spent Rs 7.05 crore to take up development works at Shalmala Shilpavana, Kasarkod Eco Beach, Nature Camp, Idagunji Vinayakavana, Maradigudda, Killakoti Children Park, Dandakaranya, Crocodile Park, and Moulangi Eco Park.

Talking to Tourists Department In-charge Assisant Director Gopalkrishna Bekal said, the department was committed to develop tourists places in the district.