Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Karnataka Eyes Tourism Boost in Coastal Malnad Policy Amid Challenges
The Karnataka government wants to bring more tourists to its Coastal and Malnad regions.
These areas have beaches, forests, religious places and cultural attractions.
The government believes tourism could create jobs and bring more investment.
However, some tourism projects have difficulty getting permission from different departments.
The regions also face rules involving coastal areas, forests and environmentally sensitive places.
Some elected representatives suggested using one system to make approvals easier.
Officials said environmental protections should still remain.
A draft policy is expected by September 7, followed by more discussions and a Cabinet review.
Karnataka plans a comprehensive tourism policy for the Coastal and Malnad regions.
The draft policy is expected to be ready by September 7.
Officials want to promote beaches, religious sites, forests and nature-based attractions.
Representatives urged simpler approvals, including a proposed single-window system for investments.
The policy will examine regulatory barriers while retaining environmental safeguards.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, Tourism Minister K.J. George and elected representatives from the Coastal and Malnad regions.
- What
- The government is preparing a tourism policy to increase investment, employment and tourism while addressing approval and regulatory challenges.
- When
- The draft policy is expected by September 7; further consultations and a Cabinet meeting are planned afterward.
- Where
- Karnataka’s Coastal and Malnad regions; the consultation meeting was held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
- Why
- To develop the regions’ tourism potential and improve the conditions for tourism projects and investment.
Faster Tourism Development
Regulation and Environmental Safeguards
Project approvals
Faster Tourism Development
Elected representatives called for simpler, coordinated approvals, with V. Sunil Kumar proposing a single-window system to attract investment and accelerate development.
Regulation and Environmental Safeguards
Officials and representatives acknowledged that projects must comply with Coastal Regulation Zone, eco-sensitive-area and Forest Department requirements, with environmental safeguards maintained.
Tourism operations
Faster Tourism Development
Rizwan Arshad said the policy should create a more conducive environment for hotels and tourism activities, including provisions suited to tourist demand and operating requirements.
Regulation and Environmental Safeguards
The proposed policy is also intended to address local and regulatory challenges rather than remove oversight, and its provisions will be reviewed through further consultations.
- Policy name
- Proposed Coastal–Malnad Tourism Policy
- Draft deadline
- September 7
- Lead official
- K.J. George, Karnataka’s Energy and Tourism Minister
- Tourism assets
- Beaches, religious and cultural destinations, forests and nature-based attractions
- Main obstacle
- Difficulties obtaining approvals from multiple departments
- Suggested reform
- A single-window system for tourism investment approvals
- Environmental issues
- Coastal Regulation Zone rules, eco-sensitive areas and Forest Department regulations
- Next step
- Further consultations and a proposed Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru