Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Wednesday that the State government will invest ₹300 crore to prevent sea erosion in three coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.
Speaking to press persons after inspecting a sea erosion location at Muluru, Kaup taluk, in Udupi district, the Minister said that the coastal belt has been facing sea erosion for the last four decades. Since then, several technical models have been adopted to prevent or minimise the erosion. Of them, some yielded results while a few did not.
The Minister said that erosion occurred in some places frequently for a long time, while it was reported from some new areas in recent years. The Deputy Commissioners of coastal districts, on an instruction by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, have been directed to consult technical experts and prepare action plans to take up preventive or mitigation projects. Of the total fund to be spent, ₹100 crore will be allocated to Udupi district.
“It might take at least two years to implement the projects as a long-term measure,” Mr. Gowda said, adding that IIT Madras has also given certain recommendations on the steps to be taken to prevent the erosion.
₹500 to prevent landslides
Referring to landslides in the coastal and Malnad belt comprising six districts, the Minister said that the government will allocate ₹500 crore to build retaining walls in areas prone to landslides and take other appropriate measures needed to prevent the landslides. The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to identify such locations and send proposals. The government will provide ₹50 crore to Udupi district for the same.
Urea shortage
Mr. Gowda said that the Union government is yet to release about 20% of the urea due to the State. The government has written to the Centre on the same. In addition, Union Ministers from Karnataka have been requested to take up the matter with the Centre. “But there is no response from the Centre or the Ministers,” Mr. Gowda said.
The Minister said that since there was early rainfall in the State this year, the demand for urea from the farmers grew.
Published – July 30, 2025 06:33 pm IST
