PANJIM: Department of Tourism has rubbished statements made by the UGDP and explained that actions initiated by the government against the 11 shacks at Utorda-Majorda were as per provisions of the Environment Protection Act.
Director of Tourism Ameya Abhyankar pointed out that actions initiated and executed were based on thorough verifications and joint inspections carried out by Goa State Pollution Control Board and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority where violations were reported against the 11 shacks at Utorda-Majorda. A complaint had been received by the department from one Alexio Pereira.
Abhyankar further said that the GSPCB issued directions to the Tourism Department under section 5 of the EPA for closure of the shacks on account of the violations detected. These violations have also been communicated to individual shack owners by GSPCB and GCZMA. “Since the shacks are on government land, the tourism department had been directed to effect their closure and the same has been done so accordingly,” he stated.
