Arambol, also known as Harmal, is still considered the beach of choice for many long-staying budget-minded travellers especially foreign tourists.
From beach cleaning, donating books and clothes to the needy to even washing of statue of Mahatma Gandhi, some foreign tourists are learnt to have set up their business along the beach.
The Arambol beach, which was once a famous business destination for the lamanis to set up business, has been taken over by foreign tourists. The beach where the Lamanis who used to sell products such as clothes, embroidery, eatables, jewellery etc. to the foreigners, has now witnessed a new trend of foreign tourists setting up business here by selling similar products.
A visit to the beach one can find foreign tourists especially from Russian nationals conducting business at their stalls along the Arambol beach. They are also seen roaming around selling burgers, tea, coffee, cigarettes and some locals have alleged that these tourists are also involved in the sale of drugs including ganja.
Some locals have also alleged that these foreign tourists are involved in the sale of products sans any permission from the competent authority.
It is learnt that these foreigners possess only a passport, visa and travel tickets and some have no money to travel back home and as such have taken up to such ventures.
The foreign tourists have added to the shack owners’ problems as they were already troubled by the menacing Lamanis.
Maria, a shack owner said, “These foreigners sell tea, coffee, burger and other snacks and on account of this, other foreign tourists who used to visit our shacks, have now stopped coming. We have lost our customers and our business has been affected”.
On the condition of anonymity, another shack owner complained that the panchayat has turned a blind eye to the illegal activities taking place along the beach. The police too seem to be least bothered in taking action against the lamanis who roam along the beach selling their products.
The shack owner further alleged that these Lamanis pay Rs 100 daily as hafta to the police due to which, the police are not taking any action. And to add to this, the foreigners have started conducting business. If this continues, one day the locals will have to shut their business and sit at home.
Another local shop owner said, “We have set up shack along the beach after taking all due permissions and by paying licence fees. These outsiders have immediately started selling their wares. When we questioned them they showed us a card stating that have got the required permission to conduct business.”
He further alleged that besides selling their products, the lamanis also offer body massage to the tourists and sell cigarettes. There are around 70 to 80 Lamanis doing business along the Arambol beach and around 20 to 30 foreigners who have set up their business. It’s not only about lamanis and foreigners, there have been other illegal activities taking place such as gambling, prostitution, drugs etc.
Arambol sarpanch Pranali Vaigankar said, “We have informed the coastal police and the Pernem police not to allow lamanis to enter the beach and conduct business. With regards to foreign tourists, we have not given them any permission to set up any business along beach. We have not yet taken any action against these foreigners but the issue will be discussed in the next panchayat meeting soon”.
