Sindhudurg tourism prospects flounder on locals' opposition

Sindhudurg in Maharashtra is a tourism heaven with rugged forts, picturesque hills and numerous virgin beaches dotting the coastline of the district. But stiff resistance from local villagers and a lacklustre approach of the state government is not helping the case of the district.

Though Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is doing its bit for promoting Sindhudurg on the tourist map of the country, three major five-star hotel projects have proved to be non-starters because of various reasons and this is proving to be a bane for tourism development here, said a senior MTDC official.

He further said, "In mid-90s, Taj, Oberoi and Cide-da-Goa group had acquired properties in Shiroda, Mithbao and Mochemacu villages, respectively. But due to resistance from local fishermen, who feared hotels on the beaches may deny them access to sea, resisted their development."

The villagers are also on the warpath as they feel that the state government shortchanged them by buying their land cheap and selling it to the hotel groups on a much higher rate. Now they are demanding compensation at market rates, added the official.

The government is not also doing enough to mediate between protesting villagers and hotel chains. If the state government takes initiative, it is very easy to address the concerns of the villagers and allow these hotel chains to start work on their resorts, said the official.

Giving details about MTDC's plans, the official said that MTDC has got around Rs 15 crore for developing tourist resorts, motels, water sports facility and repairs and renovation of historical monuments in the region.

MTDC is developing motels near Khare-Patan with facilities such as petrol pump, service station for tourists coming from Mumbai, Pune or elsewhere. These motels will have automobile repairs facility too. This project is expected to be completed within six months.

MTDC is also developing houseboat facilities in backwaters of Nerurpar, Aronda, Madkhol and Tarkarli and a tent resort at Vengurle.

It is also renovating its resort at the hill station of Amboli at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore and also has plans to expand the hill resort, he added.Besides this, MTDC is also carrying out repairs and renovation of the two sea forts, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg, by spending Rs 3 crore, he said.

At present, around 2.5 lakh tourists, mostly from Maharashtra, visit this district. But for attracting foreign tourists, corporate tourists or tourists from other states, private investment in this sector is necessary. For this purpose, the state government should take tourism sector more seriously, he pointed out.