PANJIM: The Department of Tourism failed to enforce, in letter and spirit, its much touted Beach Shack Policy 2013-16 during its first two seasons with shack operations going on without many mandatory provisions being adhered to. The department now says it would prepare a check list to ensure compliance in the future.
The three-year policy had a number of crucial aspects as it spoke about compulsorily installing closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) with recording facility, chemical mobile toilets with proper sewage disposal facility, first aid and fire safety kit, proper segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage and much more.
But down the line, shack operators carried on their activities without following the mandatory rules.
With just one season left for the current policy term before its renewal for the next three years, Tourism department has decided to form a multi-agency committee to conduct a reality check.
“We will make a check list to ensure compliance of these norms and also come up with a robust system. A committee comprising of officials from Environment department, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, and other related agencies will be formed to inspect the locations and demarcate areas before the operations begin in the coming season,” Tourism Director Ameya Abhyankar said.
Officials admit some rules were not thoroughly implemented. The understaffed department mellowed down its stand after shack owners claimed the season was bad and as such they could not afford to set up facilities like CCTV and garbage management. They also predicted early closure of the business after Russian charters ditched the Goa market, but continued till the end of season on May 31, 2015.
Abhyankar stated that the department approached the Directorate of Info Tech after a plea from the shack operators, to release an empanelment of CCTV contractors. With no response till date, he said, a reminder would be sent shortly or Goa Electronics Limited would be roped in. Likewise, the government will carry out an empanelment of contractors to facilitate shack owners procure chemical toilets.
The officer denied laxity on the part of the department claiming they have a taken a series of actions, including demolition of illegal shacks and suspension of licences, during the past two seasons. “We were vigilant despite staff crunch. Last season, a number of illegal shacks were demolished, licences suspended proceedings of which are at various stages and notices were issued to shacks found littering garbage and damaging sand dunes,” he commented.
Despite all this, some shacks allegedly violated another rule by discharging dirty water and sewage on the beach or into the sand. Wastes were not segregated leading to chaos in many beaches. There were also instances when shack operators were caught burning garbage on the beach. Abhyankar admitted such situations did arise while asserting to appoint a joint team for inspection. “Fines will be imposed on violators, and if it continues, licenses can even be suspended or cancelled,” he stated adding the department took serious action against such violators in the last season.
