Challenge of transforming a paradise

Kankavli, Maharashtra: A sleepy, lush green village on India's west coast is preparing to become a major adventure sport destination.

A modern Sea World Adventure Park coming up in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra state will offer a whole range of services to people who have an adventurous streak.

After 10 years of dreaming to transform this coastal district into a thriving tourist destination and a prosperous economy with an environment-friendly industry, the real action has finally started.

The Rs7-billion (Dh63 million) project to be named Sea World Adventure Park will be laid out on 18 hectares of land.

The project will allow Indians for the first time to see and learn about the hidden wonders of the ocean in their own backyard, says Dr Sarang Kulkarni, a marine biologist and scuba driving instructor, who advises the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) on water sports.

Presenting a paper on the tourism scenario in Sindhudurg, Kulkarni says the project will not copy from such parks in Singapore, Australia or the US and will have several firsts of its own. It will have one of the longest tunnels revealing the Konkan coast's rich marine life and will hold 10 million gallons of water. The project will have a lagoon for snorkeling as well as a scuba diving facility.

Its attractions include a "Discovery Pool", an exclusive facility for underwater movie and documentary shoots, a Tropical Island: an underwater hall for special events, Blue Planet: a special underwater hotel as well as a children's interactive programme.

Apart from the fun and learning experience that it offers, the "Sea World will have the power to create awareness of marine conservation and make citizens feel proud of our ocean heritage," says Kulkarni. The MTDC has shortlisted half a dozen sites for the project. There has been amazing response to Sea World from investors "but the government will be choosy", he says.

The state government has allocated Rs50 million (Dh4.5 million) for Angria Bank exploration and plans to submit a proposal to the federal government to bring Angria Bank under its jurisdiction in order to protect the marine bio-diversity.

Transforming dream into reality

This beautiful sprawling coastal strip of Maharashtra state was once described as having a "money order economy" since white collar workers migrated to Mumbai to take up government jobs.

This scenario is gradually changing but State Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister for Sindhudurg, Nara-yan Rane is hoping to put the district's development into an overdrive. This seems to be the right moment since the district is presently celebrating 25 years since its formation, after it was carved out of Ratnagiri district.

As part of the celebrations, the otherwise quiet countryside is abuzz with festivities. Top musicians from Mumbai – Shankar Ehsaan and Loy, Alka Yagnik and Daler Mehndi as well as traditional artistes have been performing before thousands for the past week.

Rane urges the residents in the area to take the initiative to develop the district, even if investors from outside come forward.

The district is permitted to have three special economic zones but Rane is clear about what he wants: "We have never said no to industry but will not tolerate any polluting industry."

Tourism is expected to be the key industry for the district, even ahead of its traditionally strong agro-industries. To accelerate the growth, an airport will be developed at a cost of Rs7 billion. The government has acquired 271 hectares for it.