MTDC to snorkel in Tarkarli waters

MTDC has set aside Rs 1 crore to develop the beaches of Tarkarli and Ganapatipule by year-end; water sport activities like snorkelling will also be made available

BY the end of the year, two of Maharashtra's popular beaches, Tarkarli and Ganapatipule, will be developed and various water sport activities like snorkelling be made available.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has sanctioned Rs 1 crore, and it will also monitor and regulate snorkelling in the Konkan belt, according to sources.u00a0

MTDC Joint Tourism Director Avinash Dhakne said, "Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned for the development of the two beaches. We will also focus on developing water sport activities in these beaches."

Much focus will also be placed on making the beaches safe. MTDC has already called for tenders from private parties for that purpose. "By October, the two beaches will have surveillance facilities that includes watch towers, trained personnel with walkie-talkies, water scooters and beach vehicles, for the purpose of on-the-spot rescue operations," said Dhakne.

Snorkelling will be encouraged
According to a source, experts hired by MTDC will soon train private facilitators of snorkelling. This, according to the source, is being done, as unauthorised snorkelling is rampant in Malwan and other parts of the Konkan belt.

However, many who are involved in the snorkelling business are pleased with the development. "Now that MTDC is planning to help us, it will bring in more revenue and more tourists to the state. The need of the hour is to curb the risks involved and develop snorkeling as a sport," said a snorkelling guide from Tarkarli.