KARWAR: Uttara Kannada district headquarter Karwar is gaining
importance as a major tourist centre in the state, if the growing number of tourists year after year is any indication.
Devbag, a peninsula, 2 km from here, located near the confluence of Kali river with the sea, has been attracting not only the tourists from within the country, but even from outside. According to sources in Jungle Lodges and
Resorts, a public sector concern, which established a resort at Devbag, as many as 4,988 Indian and 45 foreign tourists visited Devbag during
2007-08. In 2008-09, the number of Indian and foreign tourists increased to
6,401 and 147 respectively.
Last year, 6,293 Indian tourists and 391 foreign tourists
visited Devbag. Presently Devbag resort has three log huts and 10 cottages.
Construction of seven more cottages will be completed in two months, said
sources. The department arranges cruise in house boats along the Kali and also
around a few islands in the vicinity. Foreign tourists are more attracted with this facility, the sources said.
Earlier, only tourists from Bangalore, particularly IT employees used to visit
Devbag. But, now a number of people from Maharashtra and Gujarat also come calling. The department arranges dolphin and bird watch and
a number of water sports including kayaking, snorkeling and banana boat riding. For details contact, Assistant Manager, Devbag resorts on
9449599758.