PANJIM: In a major relaxation to private and beach shack operators, the Union Ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF) has granted permission to retain the temporary seasonal structures – shacks and huts – even during the off season, provided they are not in operation. As such, the structures will continue to remain standing along the beach side even during the monsoon.
The temporary seasonal structures on private land and beaches are currently permitted to be erected in October-November and are dismantled by May 31, before rough weather and turbulent seas of the monsoon months of June to September begin.
In a draft notification issued on April 25, MoEF Joint secretary Bishwanath Sinha said, “The structures shall not be removed or dismantled during the months of June to August. Provided that the facilities provided in these structures shall remain non-operational during the month of June to August.”
The Union Ministry has made necessary draft amendments to the Coastal Zone Regulation (CRZ) notification 2011 and sought Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (GCZMA) comments on the draft notification.
There are more than 2000 private structures, while over hundreds of beach structures in the State.
Owing to heavy expenditure on construction and later dismantling of these temporary structures, the All Goa Private Shacks and Huts Association and Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo had approached Union Ministry seeking relaxation.
The BJP-led government, on coming to power had constituted a House Committee, headed by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, to study the 2011 CRZ notification and accordingly seek necessary amendment in regards to private shacks.
“We had submitted the report to Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in 2014 and through Parrikar we had pursued the matter,” house committee member Lobo said.
