TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Beach Shack Policy 2013-16 approved by the Goa cabinet recently was cleared by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on Saturday. But with a proviso that the allotment of shacks does not destroy the sand dunes on the beach belt and all measures are taken to ensure proper sanitation along the coastline.
The GCZMA inspected most of the beaches during the last five to six days and submitted their observations to the concerned authorities who met Saturday. The regulatory authority has also given instructions that no private vehicles should be allowed to move on the beaches as it destroys the vegetation and marine life.
It is learnt that the GCZMA was of the opinion that shacks could be set up only after accretion process on the beaches was completed as this would give them adequate area and shacks should be allotted accordingly.
“One of the major directions issued by the authority is that there should be adequate space between shacks and sand dunes to protect the dunes and that the tourism department should ensure that proper steps are taken as far as sanitation is concerned,” said this official.
Having received the green signal from the GCZMA, the tourism department will move to make the necessary modifications to the policy incorporating its recommendations and submit it to the government for its final consent.
“After that we will begin the process of inviting applications and allotment will be done accordingly,” said the official. The GCZMA has however not made any recommendations for increasing or decreasing the number of shacks. “Depending on the space we will do the demarcations for the allotment,” the official said. The tourism department is hoping to start all the procedures from next week.
The GCZMA has reportedly taken serious note of violations by owners of shacks in private properties during the last season and have contemplated stern action this season.
Close to 350 shacks operators in private property are likely t o face penalty of forfeiting their security deposits. But despite this, the government has not barred defaulters from applying for shacks in private property this year.
The tourism ministry Saturday also said that strong action will be taken against those driving private vehicles on beaches and tourist police have been instructed to crack the whip against offenders.
The GCZMA inspected most of the beaches during the last five to six days and submitted its observations to the authorities. It has also given instructions that no private vehicles should be allowed to move on the beaches as it destroys the vegetation and marine life
