Eco-tourism zone has NGOs, village groups fuming
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 28
Thirty-five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and village communities from across Goa have come together to launch a massive agitation against the State government’s plans to push in hotel projects under the eco-tourism zone concept.
Addressing a press conference today, Convener of Pilerne Citizens Forum Yatish Naik alleged that the government has planned eco-tourism zones in such a way that they will benefit some hotel developers.
“It’s clear that eco tourism zones are created in the Regional Plan in the spaces which are already purchased by hoteliers,” Naik said.
The NGOs held a meeting in the city to chalk out awareness campaign over next two months against the Regional Plan 2021. They have interestingly got support from the church association – Council for Social Justice and Peace. The council has also demanded that the State should notify regional plans in accordance with the suggestions given by the gram sabhas.
“Goa Governor S S Sidhu is busy singing carols for Christmas and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is busy playing flute while inaugurating a handicraft fair,” he ridiculed while adding that people of Goa are fighting on the streets for their rights.
The State government had executed several changes in the Regional Plan 2021 before it was notified so that the certain sections of people are benefited and Goa is destroyed forever.
The NGOs have decided to hold State-wide meetings to make people aware about the RP2021 which will culminate into the State level agitation in February 2011.
