TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: They may be on a holiday in the State but that has not stopped many foreign tourists from voicing their opposition at efforts to block a traditional access to the Calangute beach.
In fact, foreign tourists have urged the locals to fight for their rights at Calangute beach.
Foreign tourists have come out in support of locals being denied traditional access to the beach for a proposed project in CRZ area at Tivai Vaddo, Calangute.
“We have been visiting Calangute over the years and we have made use of the access to go to beach. Surprisingly, someone has fenced the area very close to the beach denying access to the locals and tourists. This is ridiculous and it surprises us that people can tolerate such nonsense in their own land,” said an Englishman, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Today, the area has been fenced and tomorrow the entire area may be covered with either a hotel or some other project which will serve no purpose to the locals. It is really surprising that no one has the guts to speak up against such injustice to Goans at large,” he added.
Locals have alleged that the fenced area belongs to the Goa Tourism Department Corporation and accused a private party of enclosing the area.
“Our huts are inside the fenced area and we have no way to get in or out. We have been denied our rights by the owner of the plot in the CRZ area. Who is protecting our rights?” asked a local.
Both Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar are in Delhi for a party conclave and could not be contacted for comments in the matter.
