MARGAO: Goans For Goa (GFG) has appealed to coastal village panchayats to pass resolutions to oppose the relaxation of CRZ norms in Goa as this will destroy tourism and only favours land owners, mostly migrants from Delhi and elsewhere, and is not in the interest of Goans.
“The statement made by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar that he will try to seek CRZ relaxation for the coastal beach belt, on the filmsy grounds that his government wants to promote Goa as a year-round tourist destination, does not augur well for Goa,” GFG president Kennedy Afonso said.
GFG cautioned the government not to act in haste in this direction, as any such move will meet with resistance, as GFG will galvanise people in the coastal belt to oppose such a move.
“GFG demands to know what prevented the government from promoting Goa as a year-round tourist destination for the last three years, as almost most of the hotels are empty throughout the monsoon season. Where does the question of more cottages and hotels arise?” Afonso asked.
GFG reminded the CM that for the last two years the government, despite numerous junkets, has failed to attract tourists to Goa, even during the season. “Goa tourism has been on the decline, and the existing hotel industry was half empty, with no tourists. Other subsidiary businesses, which rely on tourism like shacks, lodges, taxis, also fared badly and could hardly make ends meet. This year is promising to be the same as only 50% of the Russians are expected to come,” said Afonso.
Given these facts, GFG reiterates that the question of more infra structure does not arise, as the hotel industry, along with the lodges, cottages, can easily accommodate the visiting tourist, during both the seasons.
Goa is saturated with beach tourism, and if need be the government should seek to develop and promote infrastructure in the hinterlands. “Today, it’s due to the CRZ norms that our beaches have not yet become concrete jungles and any hasty move will eventually destroy tourism in Goa,” said Afonso.
GFG requested the CM, to instead focus on upgrading the existing infra structure, viz, roads, water, electricity, transport and basic amenities and toilets and changing facilities on the beaches.
Afonso also pointed out to decisions, like an airport at Mopa, which threatens to take all tourism away from Goa and questioned if the government through the CRZ relaxation wants to turn Goa’s beaches into a concrete jungles, to favour the Delhi babus and the builders lobby.
