Relax CRZ rules, urge tourism stakeholders
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 15
While complaints from environmentalists pertaining to violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations especially, by the hotel industry have risen in the recent past, the government and tourism stakeholders feels that tourism industry ought to be given some relaxations in CRZ regulations in order to have wholesome development of the tourism sector.
Making a demand for some respite from CRZ regulations, speakers at Knowledge Session on ‘West Coast Tourism – Synergy between States’ at the ongoing International Travel Mart (ITM)-Goa, in City today, said the coastal States should make a joint representation to the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
“Some exceptions for tourism industry have to be made — the coastal States should pursue the matter with environment ministry,” suggested Kiran Khandelwal, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
He said the CRZ regulations need to be reviewed and made suitable for accommodating tourism activity otherwise overall development of tourism sector will remain a distant dream. “All hurdles have to be removed,” he added while emphasizing on synergies between States.
Vinay Luthra, MD, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) echoed similar sentiments. He said relaxation in CRZ regulations is needed for wholesome development of the tourism sector but it has to be achieved without hurting the environment.
Other speakers who participated in the session include Kingshuk Biswas, Senior Manager – Marketing and Investment, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd, S Swaminathanm, Chief Executive Officer, Kerala Travel Mart and Nikhil Desai, MD, Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
