SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: The Shack Owners from Salcete’s coastal belt have stressed the need to have a common sewage management system in place ahead of the upcoming tourism season to ensure that they face no problems with the authorities in the future.
It is pertinent to note that the shack owners held a meeting last week in Benaulim and plan to hold another meeting soon so that all the stakeholders can come to a consensus on the way forward.
Cruz Cardozo, President of Shack Owners Welfare Society said that it is imperative that they have a proper sewage system in place as without this, they face difficulties in getting the required consent to operate.
However, the shack owners were critical of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for not being quick enough to address their concerns to ensure that these issues are resolved soon.
They hope that the model that will be put in place for the Salcete’s coastal belt, can be replicated in other parts of the State.
It may be recalled that following High Court directions, stringent conditions have been imposed on shacks owners and last year, the GSPCB had sealed some shacks in North Goa for failing to comply with the regulations such as getting the mandatory approvals.
At the recent meeting with the Tourism Department, shack owners and coastal MLAs, this issue was raised but Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that it would be the panchayats’ responsibility to treat sewage generated by beach shacks in their jurisdictions.
Khaunte said that the panchayats have been asked to ensure such amenities are made available.
It is to be noted that the beach shacks are required to install green toilets and its cost differs as per the model which can go up to even Rs 1 lakh.
Disposing of toilet waste in illegal soak pits or in the open sea is banned while the HC has imposed conditions for installation of tanks for toilet waste and dispose of the same in a proper manner.
