PANJIM: While on an average 500-600 shacks and other temporary structures are permitted in private properties annually, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has observed that the carrying capacity allows for erection of more such structures in private properties.
It has, however, recommended a ban on further permissions to shacks or huts in private areas along the Calangute-Baga-Candolim-Siquerim belt.
NCSCM has suggested that the existing structures prior to 1991 could be permitted to carry out regulated commercial activities such as homestays, guest houses and restaurants without further increase in coverage or Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
Following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, the State Environment Department appointed NCSCM – a green body that reports to the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF), to conduct the carrying capacity study along the beach belt and private areas up to 200 meters of the High Tide Line (HTL).
This final report provides guidelines to determine the beach carrying capacity for the private shacks/resorts. “Vacant land available between survey boundaries to 200m from HTL (private areas) has been assessed after deducting the Eco Sensitive Areas (ESAs) etc and after application of 33 percent principle on the vacant land, it is seen that there is sufficient carrying capacity available for erection of shacks and other temporary structures (huts/cottages/ tents) in private areas,” the report stated.
While beach shacks dominate in North Goa, temporary structures in private areas dominate in South Goa. They are registered in the beach belts of Palolem, Galgibag, Agonda, and Khola. The largest number of such temporary structures in private areas is in Palolem.
NCSCM observed that the Calangute-Baga-Candolim-Siquerim belt has 1169 hotels with 11,693 rooms/ 12,460 beds. In addition, there are 196 shacks allotted by the government on the Baga-Siquerim beach belt.
“Considering the availability of hotels and rooms, it is recommended that no temporary structures huts/ tents/cottages may be permitted for erection in private areas along the belt,” it proposed.
“However erection of shacks in private area along this belt could be permitted to those entrepreneurs who have been erecting shacks previously and have licenses from local bodies and government authorities,” report added.
The NCSCM has allowed additional structures in private areas along the beach stretches of Anjuna- Vagator.
