Nearly 300 km from Goa's southernmost beach of Agonda, Karnataka is in the process of recreating a ''Goa beach'' of its own.

The difference, according to officials, is that Karnataka's sun-sand adaptation would be a safer place, well-planned, organised and remarkably sanitised as compared to the beaches of Goa, which are slipping into decadence owing to years of neglect.

The Karanataka government is expecting the Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project to change the face of beach tourism in the state, which is otherwise known for its rich heritage and sandalwood - and, in recent times, rampant mining.

Goa has its own unique brand image. If the beaches in Karnataka develop a certain level of tourism friendliness and tourism related facilities, both the regions may prosper.

The relatively cosmopolitan crowd from Mangalore, around 300 km from here, continues to be one of the main tourism sources for the Panambur beach. Safety and security of tourists are prime agenda of the Karanataka government.