The tourism season that ended recently, was embroiled in major confusion when over hundreds of private shack owners failed to receive permission for operation sans approval from National Green Tribunal (NGT). Notwithstanding the same, the operators commenced their business in December- after losing two-and-a-half months of the crucial time and money. In the absence of proper private shack policy, uncertainty looms over the business during the coming tourism season – in October.
But the good news is that, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) in its beach carrying capacity report – placed before NGT- has observed that There is sufficient carrying capacity available for installation of such structures in the private properties. For the last season, over 400 private shacks were operational.
However, it has recommended ban on granting further permission to shacks or huts in private areas along Calangute-Baga-Candolim-Sinquerim belt.
“We would be drafting the policy for private shacks this season. We are waiting for the NGT to pass an order. We know that last season was in a complete mess for the shack operators, but we too were helpless,” a senior environment department official said.
NGT had, in December 2014, directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to carry out a study to assess the carrying capacity of different beaches, for granting permissions to shacks, in environmentally sustainable manner to protect the coastal environment. The study also revolved around the private shacks.
For the season 2015-16, GCZMA granted permission to the private shacks in absence of policy. However, NGT came down heavily on the Authority for granting permissions.
Following National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, the GCZMA appointed NCSCM – green body that reports to the Union ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF), to conduct the carrying capacity along the beach belts and private areas that is up to 200 metres of High Tide Line (HTL). The NCSCM prepared total three reports, after it failed to satisfy government in its first two reports.
The final report, which was submitted to the Government in November last year, was accepted by the Government.
“Vacant land available between survey boundaries to 200m from HTL (private areas) has been assessed after deducting the Eco Sensitive Areas (ESAs) etc. It is seen that there is sufficient carrying capacity available for erection of shacks and other temporary structures (Huts/ Cottages/ Tents) in private areas,” the report stated.
While the beach shacks are dominated in North Goa, the South Goa has majority of temporary structures in private areas. They are registered in beach belts of Palolem, Galgibaga, Agonda, and Khola. The largest number of such temporary structures in Private areas is in Palolem.
The NCSCM observed that the Calangute-Baga-Candolim-Sinquerim belt has in total 1169 hotels with 11,693 rooms/12,460 beds. In addition, there are 196 shacks allotted by the Government on the Baga-Sinquerim beach belt.
“Considering the availability of hotels and rooms, it is recommended that no temporary structures huts/ tents/ cottages may be permitted for erection in private areas along the belt,” it proposed.
