PANJIM: In a major move, the State Tourism Department has decided to include the component of carrying capacity of beaches in the State in their Tourism Master Plan. The decision comes following directives from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
Further, in a bid to regularise and monitor operation of temporary tourism seasonal structures in private properties within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas, GCZMA has directed Tourism department to frame a proper policy for effective management of the structures before the next tourism season in October.
GCZMA has issued a series of directions to Tourism department with regards to monitoring of beach activities.
The authority, which has granted permission for setting up of season temporary structures like shacks and huts on private properties in CRZ areas, has directed the department to frame regulations for governing and effective management of these structures.
It has also asked Tourism department to expedite the preparation of the master plan in respect of the carrying capacity of beaches in Goa and submit a copy to the authority.
“The department of Tourism is in the process of preparing a Tourism Master Plan and the Department has agreed to include the component of carrying capacity of beaches in State of Goa in the plan/policy through the expert agency,” the department informed GCZMA.
“Also, as the Tourism Policy 2013-16 is valid only up to end of this tourist season and now, the Department of Tourism is required to prepare a fresh policy for the next tourist season, the component of temporary seasonal structure and its regularisation needs to be included in the new policy,” it added.
In December 2014, NGT had directed GCZMA to assess the carrying capacity of different beaches in the State for providing shacks and other temporary structures, in an environmentally sustainable manner to protect the coastal environment, based on the ‘precautionary principle’. Based on the findings of this study, permissions for 2015-2016, will be granted.
GCZMA’s failure to conduct the study had led NGT to revoke the permissions. However, this has been stayed by the HC stating that shack owners were not heard.
