Owners hit back, demand end to tourism altogether
TEAM HERALD
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CANACONA: There appears to be a discord of sorts among the residents of Galgibaga-Talpona coast in Canacona taluka after Poinguinim Panchayat served demolition notices on 11 private shacks operating in private land.
Addressing press at Galgibaga beach, the private shack operators who received demolition notices from the panchayat asked the local body and the State government to stop entire tourism-related activities including renting out of rooms, houses to tourists, put a complete blanket on operations of illegal tourist-related kiosks, yoga classes by foreign nationals and stop all sorts of illegal construction activities in Poinguinim Panchayat area.
The aggrieved residents also demanded a stop to all tourism activities at Agonda and Morjim beaches, claiming that these beaches are also turtle nesting sites along with Galgibaga beach. They demanded alternate employment to all the affected people.
“Why only at turtle nesting sites (Morjim, Agonda and Galgibaga), stop tourism in entire State as done with mining industry, as nowhere on the State’s coast tourism activities in any of the Goan beaches can be termed as ‘legal’ because of rampant CRZ violations by almost each and every operator,” stated Anand N Pagi.
According to sources, during the last week of December, Poinguinim Panchayat served demolition notices to 11 private shacks and four tents which are allegedly set-up at Galgibaga and Talpona coast. Some shacks were granted licenses during last and previous years, but denied permissions despite Tourism department granting NOCs for the same.
“We will not allow demolition of our shacks, for which we got permission from the Tourism Department, but our panchayat denied it and instead served show-cause notices for demolition,” informed Umesh Sadolxekar.
Added Diksha Pagui “The turtle nesting site provides employment to just four people in our village, but over 300-400 people and their families thrive on tourism activities conducted in private lands and not on beach sands.”
“The Galgiabga-Talpona beach belt have neither any industries for employment nor proper infrastructure like roads, streetlights, water supply, etc, and people have to make arrangements for their own survival,” she added.
Seby Dias said “We will fully support government turtle rehabilitation programme, but don’t be partisan by targeting only shacks set-up in private lands, which are not on beach sands where turtles nesting is done.”
Tulshidas Komarpant, Chandrahas Pagi, Karlito D’Costa and some other private operators were present at the press briefing.
