Team Herald
PANJIM: Former Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) councillor Patricia Pinto and architect Ritu Prasad have filed a contempt petition against the Department of Tourism for deliberately organising the “Ramponkaracho Seafood Festival” at Arambol Beach, in violation of a High Court order and state policy.
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The festival, held from December 13 to 15, is claimed by the petitioners to breach a February 14, 2001 High Court order that prohibits food festivals on Goan beaches due to environmental degradation, including waste disposal, broken glass, and human defecation.
In 1999, Pinto and Prasad had challenged the holding of food festivals on beaches, citing the severe environmental harm caused. During hearings, the then Director of Tourism had filed an affidavit confirming a government policy to ban such events on beaches to maintain hygiene and prevent pollution. The High Court, in response, had dismissed the petition, stating that the government’s policy would be followed in future.
In 2004, the High Court dismissed another application from the petitioners after the government assured it would prevent food stalls on Miramar Beach during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and at any other time. The Department of Tourism also deferred the Goa Seafood Festival on Miramar Beach in February 2024 following similar concerns raised by the petitioners.
Despite sending a legal notice on December 13, 2024, warning that the Arambol festival would constitute contempt of court, the Department of Tourism proceeded with the event. The petitioners have now called for contempt proceedings to be initiated against the Department.
