Malpe: Udupi District-in-Charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj inaugurated eco-tourism and travel activities at St Mary’s Island on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering, Madhwaraj said St.Mary’s Island is a beautiful island. The columnar rock formation found here is unique and is similat to the ones found in African Islands. The island was neglected for a very long time but has now gained some popularity and tourist attraction. Last year St.Mary’s Island was declared as zero wastage island, to implement this the present development activities have been undertaken.

“Malpe beach and St.Mary’s Island will be maintained by the Dial Mantra group. Every year Rs 56 lac is paid to Beach Development Committee,” he added.

Various facilities have now opened for tourists such as Food court, mobile charging points, visitors lounge, cycle ride, natural shelters, gazebo, first aid, luggage room, night security, souvenir shop.

Water sports like Banana Ride, Kayak, Jet Skill, Cliff Dive, Snorkelling, Stand up Paddle, Angling and many other have been introduced for the sake of tourists.

The total cost of redevelopment is around Rs 80 lakhs.

Municipal commissioner, D Manjunathaiah, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, CMC President, Sandhya Thilakraj, CMC vice-president, Anitha B, assistant director in the department of tourism, Arun Kumar, project director, Sudesh Shetty, in-charge officer of Mantra Tourism Development Company and Narayan Kunder, Harmis Noronha, Ganesh Nergi and other councilors were present during the event.