The Department of Tourism has formally asked Mandrem Police to take action against the management of a resort in Mandrem, after the estab lishment repeatedly violat ed government directives and erected an illegal stage on public beach land for a wedding ceremony. The latest violation was a full-scale wedding reception, exposed by O Heraldo in its edition dated November 20, on the Junasvaddo stretch of Mandrem beach — officially notified as an Olive Ridley turtle nesting site. The action, initiated un der Section 223 of the BNS 2023, follows continued breaches of the Goa Tourist Places (Protection & Main tenance) Act, 2001.
According to officials, the resort constructed the stage on government-owned beachfront without securing man datory permission from the Tourism Department. Tourist Wardens and the Tourist Police reportedly warned the resort on multiple occasions during the setup, yet the management continued preparations in open defi ance. The Department later issued several show-cause no tices, but the resort failed to attend any of the scheduled personal hearings meant to explain its conduct. Tourism Director Kedar Naik said procedural steps had been followed as per law. “The Department has taken the necessary steps to ensure that regulations are properly implemented. We remain committed to maintaining or derly and responsible use of public spaces,” he stated. The Department has reiterated its call for all tourism operators to strictly adhere to legal requirements, espe cially when operating on government land. Officials em phasised that maintaining discipline and accountability across tourism activities remains a priority and that the Department will coordinate closely with enforcement agencies to safeguard Goa’s beaches from misuse. The latest action underscores growing concern over resorts and event organisers flouting regulations in eco logically sensitive coastal zones, despite repeated govern ment warnings
