Local residents’ resistance to sand extraction backed by the district administration has resulted in the formation of an expansive sand bed on the southern bank of the Netravathi, near its mouth with the Arabian Sea, off Mangaluru.
Located on the northern tip of Ullal town, the place is called Ullal Hoige (meaning sand in the local dialect). About two square km of sand bed is clearly visible and walkable during low tides.
No wonder, this place has become a place of attraction, particularly for those who love to play and swim in safe waters. While the sand bed is visible during low tides, it gets filled up during high tides, providing the much needed space for enthusiasts.
Ranjith, a local fisherman who was busy cleaning the fishing net of his traditional boat, told The Hindu that local residents, mainly women, had strongly opposed sand extraction from the riverbed in the region. The then Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj backed their demand and from there onwards, sand extraction was not being allowed inside the marked area.
New attraction: Local residents’ resistance to sand extraction from the Netravathi riverbed has helped in the formation of a large sandbar on the southern bank of the river at Ullal Hoige. 
He said of late many people from Ullal and Mangaluru visit Ullal Hoige in the evenings, especially on weekends, to spend time in the water. Local residents have named the location as “King’s Star River View” and have displayed a caution board through the Ullal police specifying the dos and don’ts for the visitors. Besides warning against consumption of alcohol, the board also cautions visitors not to venture too far in the water.
Pollution
While not many would enter the Phalguni (Gurupura), the other river surrounding Mangaluru, for it is contaminated with sewage, Netravati had been relatively clean till recently.
However, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) letting untreated sewage through storm-water drains and fish meal factories at Ullal-Kotepura discharging chemical-laced effluents into Netravathi have been a threat to the otherwise clean water, said Mohan, a resident of the area.
How to reach
Ullal Hoige can be reached by a narrow road passing through coconut groves in northern Ullal. One has to take the Thokkottu Market Road after taking a right turn towards Ullal from Thokkuttu and then Diamond Road to reach Ullal Hoige.
Sand bed and maruvai
The preservation of the sand bed at Ullal Hoige has helped growth and availability of m aruvai, a variety of clam that is in good demand.
Maruvai is used to prepare a host of delicacies, including sukka and gasi, and brings in additional income to fishermen families when they collect and sell them in local markets.
Suryaprakash, who was netting maruvai at Ullal Hoige, told The Hindu that the sand bed had helped growth of the aqua fauna sufficiently. Heading home with his daughter with a half bag of shells, Mr. Suryaprakash said he would use the catch for self.
Fisherman Ranjith said many people in the region collect maruvai from early in the morning and sell them in the local market.
