Chennai: Tamil Nadu which is among the eight coastal states identified for tourism developments has tremendous scope for developing beach tourism. A roadmap to exploit its beach tourism wealth is underway.

Along with TN, the beach tourism in Karnataka, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala and Goa would be developed. But, a majority of these states will have to significantly relax their coastal regulatory zone norms to allow infrastructure creation around their beaches. At present, no construction is permitted up to 500 metres from the high-tide zone under the CRZ norms.

The Niti Aayog, in association with the Union Tourism Ministry, will evolve a roadmap for identifying and developing beach destinations over the next three years.

The Aayog has identified tourism as a key sector in its three-year action plan for generating much-needed jobs in the country and the proposed policy is seen as a step in that direction. Collaboration between government and private sectors to develop five exclusive tourism zones around beaches has been recommended.

The move will see the conceptualisation of major attractions including sheltered beaches, resorts, hotels, theme parks, golf courses and multi-cuisine eateries. The development, it is said, will not compromise too much on biodiversity of the areas.

The country’s zones should be based on massive planning that involves best practices in engineering (drainage, sewage, solid waste management) and sustainability.

The promotion of beach tourism would be based on models that have been successfully developed in Bali, Sentosa and Antalya, it is said. The draft policy is likely to be ready by this month-end.