Lok Sabha Question No. 2654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Assistance for Protection of Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## 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

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(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.

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## 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 Sanction          | Name of the project                                                                                                             |   Sanction Amount (Rs. In Crore) |
|-----------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Swadesh Darshan | Eco Circuit 2015-16       | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                          |                            64.08 |
|                 | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli- Pampa-Sannidhanam                                                                          |                            46.54 |
|                 | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Sree Padmanabha Arnamula                                                                                         |                            78.08 |
|                 | Rural Circuit 2018-19     | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project                                                                           |                            57.35 |
|                 | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam |                            66.42 |
| Swadesh Darshan | 2024-25                   | Alappuzha: A Global Water Wonderland                                                                                            |                            93.18 |
| 2.0             | 2024-25                   | Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park                                                         |                            75.87 |
|                 | 2023-24                   | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience                                                                                             |                            13.81 |
| CBDD            | 2024-25                   | Varkala-Dakshin Kashi                                                                                                           |                            25    |
|                 | 2024-25                   | Thalassery: The Spritiual Nexus                                                                                                 |                            25    |
| PRASHAD         | 2016-17                   | Development at Guruvayur Temple                                                                                                 |                            45.19 |

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