Declare Ullala Heritage Village in honour of Rani Abbakka urges MP Captain Brijesh Chowta

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 10, 2026: Calling Dakshina Kannada an “ocean of possibilities” that has remained under-harnessed for decades, Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada Captain Brijesh Chowta on Saturday outlined a people-centric, heritage-driven vision for coastal tourism at the Coastal Tourism Conclave held in Mangaluru.

Addressing the gathering Captain Chowta said that coastal tourism must go beyond footfall numbers and instead be anchored in history, local livelihoods and sustainable economic models.

Ullala as Heritage Village: A Long-Overdue Historical Correction

Placing special emphasis on Ullala, Captain Chowta said that the town deserves formal recognition as a Heritage Village, not merely as a tourism destination but as a site of national historical significance.

“Ullala was a seat of resistance long before the modern freedom movement. It was here that Rani Abbakka stood up to colonial powers and defeated the Portuguese. This coast witnessed one of India’s earliest assertions of nari shakti against imperial aggression,” he said.

Linking the proposal to the ongoing commemoration of Swabhiman Parv marking 1,000 years of the Somnath temple, he said recognising Ullala’s heritage would be an act of historical correction, restoring rightful prominence to Tulunadu’s role in India’s civilisational and resistance history. He also added that declaring Ullala a Heritage Village would enable the integration of Someshwara, the Somnath temple, palaces, agrarian landscapes, museums and local communities into a unified heritage circuit, ensuring that tourism empowers locals as custodians and beneficiaries of their own history.

Sasihitlu: From Natural Asset to Global Adventure Sports Hub

Captain Chowta described Sasihitlu beach as a rare river–sea confluence ideally suited for surfing, paddling and endurance water sports. He noted that Sasihitlu has already hosted the India Paddle Festival, the country’s only international-standard stand-up paddling event with global participation, underscoring its readiness for adventure tourism. What is needed now, he said, is structured support through infrastructure, safety certification and regular global events to create year-round livelihoods and skill development for local youth.

Concluding, Captain Chowta welcomed the government’s move to work towards a dedicated plan of action for coastal tourism, noting that a clear roadmap is essential to unlock the region’s full potential. He urged the creation of a single nodal agency and the designation of an officer to ensure seamless coordination, timely execution and accountability in implementing the plan on the ground. Reiterating that “Sadhyategala Sagara: an ocean of possibilities” was not a campaign slogan but a responsibility, he called upon all stakeholders to move decisively from recognising potential to acting with purpose to shape the region’s coastal future.