The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has raised objections to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) special purpose vehicle (SPV) proposal for setting up model shacks on four of the state’s beaches, citing concerns over the materials to be used and the lack of clarity on sewage disposal arrangements.
GTDC had pitched the shacks, planned for Colva, Benaulim, Arambol, and Calangute, as an innovative project using composite bamboo for temporary beach structures. But after going over the application during their review meeting, the GCZMA pointed out that the use of conventional construction materials like mild steel and cement boards contradicted claims of the design being eco-friendly or novel. The agency also noted that no explanation had been offered on how waste generated by the shack, including sewage, would be managed.
In its communication to GTDC, the GCZMA has called for a detailed presentation to clarify how the project meets coastal regulations and how waste will be treated. It emphasized that without a proper waste management system in place, the proposal falls short of environmental standards.
GTDC’s plan had sought Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for 120-square-metre model shacks that it described as being temporary and constructed largely from bamboo. But following an on-site inspection, the GCZMA observed that parts of the proposed shack locations fall within ecologically sensitive zones. Segments of the sites lie in no-development areas, within the intertidal zone, and close to sand dunes, all of which are protected under CRZ rules.
Experts from the coastal authority further informed GTDC that any construction must steer clear of both the intertidal stretch and dune systems, and that fencing or any structure that could hinder natural wind flow around sand dunes would not be permitted. Additionally, the tourism body has been informed that even limited use of concrete for structural support will not be allowed.
With the GCZMA seeking multiple clarifications, the fate of the model shack project now hinges on how convincingly the GTDC addresses environmental concerns in its revised plan.