Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major relief to the private shack operators, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has extended the period of permission for the erection of temporary seasonal structures in private properties for another two years, making it overall seven years, since December 2018.
In December, 2018, the GCZMA had permitted 378 huts and 43 shacks in the private properties for next five years. It has permitted 216 shacks\huts at Palolem, 179 in Agonda, 25 in Anjuna and one in Naqueri village.
However, on account of Covid-19 pandemic and its related lockdown, the shacks remained closed for two years. As such, the Private Property Beach Shack and Huts Owners Association appealed to GCZMA to grant relaxation from five years.
The association stated that the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had issued notification dated May 2017 to grant permissions for setting up shacks, huts, tents in private properties for a period of five years with conditions imposed. However, the ministry later in March 2018, issued notification to allow the said permissions that were five years to be valid for seven years and also provides the validity may be extended for a maximum period of three years.
“The Authority decided that in view of receipt of similar applications for extension of temporary structures that is shacks, cottages, huts, tents, etc, upon perusal of documents the same be extended for total term of seven years,” said the minutes of the meeting.
The shack operators have to ensure that the structures are made of wooden material and as per the recommendation of Beach Carrying Capacity report.
No cement/concrete should be used for flooring. No structure of permanent nature shall be erected or constructed.
In series of conditions laid down, the Authority has said that the provisions of the CRZ Notification 2011, (as amended), should be strictly adhered and that no activity in contravention to the provisions of the CRZ Notifications shall be carried out.
The applicant has to take all requisite environmental safeguard to ensure that there would not be any environmental degradation in this area and that traditional access, right of way, easement will not be blocked by the applicant.
All temporary structures shall maintain a standard buffer of a minimum of three metre from adjacent huts, tents, cottages.
“This permission stands automatically revoked in case of any illegal/unlawful/immoral acts done by the applicant/proponent and or agent, lawful power of attorney holder, authorised person, any person acting for on behalf of the applicant/proponent in the said structures,” the GCZMA said.