Parliament Question: Assistance for Protection of Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2654 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 ASSISTANCE FOR PROTECTION OF MUZHAPPILANGAD BEACH, KANNUR 2654. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Muzhappilangad Beach in Kannur, Asia’s longest drive-in beach is facing severe threats from intensified coastal erosion and tidal flooding, which have recently been declared a State-specific disaster in Kerala; (b) the details of the central technical and financial assistance provided under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 or Sagarmala schemes specifically for "Anti-Sea Erosion Works" and "Shoreline Management" at this destination; (c) whether any joint study has been conducted with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) to implement "soft" engineering solutions (like offshore reefs) to protect the driving track without destroying the beach's natural sand-hardening properties; and (d) the measures taken by the Government to address the rising levels of microplastic pollution on the Muzhappilangad-Dharmadam stretch to maintain its status as a high-end international destination? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism does not operate any scheme to provide technical or financial assistance for "Anti-Sea Erosion Works" and "Shoreline Management". Development and promotion of tourism is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, the Ministry of Tourism under its existing schemes such as ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development(CBDD)’ – an initiative under SD, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ etc. provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations on receipt of project proposals from them in line with the scheme guidelines, availability of funds, inter-se priority, government instructions etc. The Sagarmala scheme and issues related to rising levels of micro plastic pollution are not handled by the Ministry of Tourism. Also this Ministry has not undertaken any study through National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) to implement "soft" engineering solutions (like offshore reefs) to protect the driving track without destroying the beach's natural sand-hardening properties. However, the Ministry of Tourism focuses on implementation of sustainable and responsible tourism practices in various projects and initiatives and also encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism viz. environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability. The details of the projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism under its SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Kerala is annexed. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2654 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING ASSISTANCE FOR PROTECTION OF MUZHAPPILANGAD BEACH, KANNUR RAISED BY SHRI K SUDHAKARAN Details of the projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism under its SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Kerala:- Scheme Year of Name of the project Sanction Sanction Amount (Rs. In Crore) Swadesh Eco Circuit Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- 64.08 Darshan 2015-16 Vagamon- Thekkady Spiritual Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli- 46.54 Circuit Pampa-Sannidhanam 2016-17 Spiritual Development of Sree Padmanabha 78.08 Circuit Arnamula 2016-17 Rural Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise 57.35 Circuit Tourism Project 2018-19 Spiritual Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana 66.42 Circuit Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara 2018-19 Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam Swadesh 2024-25 Alappuzha: A Global Water Wonderland 93.18 Darshan 2024-25 Enhancement of Tourist Experience at 75.87 2.0 Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park 2023-24 Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience 13.81 CBDD 2024-25 Varkala-Dakshin Kashi 25.00 2024-25 Thalassery: The Spritiual Nexus 25.00 PRASHAD 2016-17 Development at Guruvayur Temple 45.19 *****