TEAM HERALD
Tourism is big business in coastal Agonda, so much so that many seasonal tourism operators have been accused of bending the rules to run their business.
With the village coast saturated yet again with several seasonal structures, locals have alleged that many stakeholders are allegedly carrying out tourism activity on private property without permission from authorities concerned.
Some private tourism operators have openly encroached on the sand and have placed beach beds, tables, chairs and sun umbrellas, disturbing the serene atmosphere needed at the Turtle Nesting beach site.
Agonda Panchayat is reported to have earned revenue of over Rs 6 lakh from the last tourism season, as the coastline was abuzz with activity during that season.
According to panchayat sources, a total of seasonal 475 huts and 42 shacks were permitted in private properties by Agonda Panchayat during the last tourism season. Going by the rate of Rs 1,200 per hut and Rs 1,500 per shack, Agonda Panchayat netted in Rs 6,20,400 during the 2013-14 season. The new tourism season is already underway and several seasonal structures are operating on private property across the village.
When contacted, Agonda Panchayat Secretary Damodar Kankonkar informed that 57 seasonal licences have been issued by the panchayat so far, earning revenue of about Rs 5.59 lakh.
“These include huts (425), shacks (33), gaddas and kiosks (16). More applications will be taken up in the coming panchayat meeting,” said Kankonkar. Except for providing licenced figures of structures, he could not specify the exact number of huts, shacks, kiosks and other temporary structures in the village.
Residents have also doubted the official figures provided by Kankonkar. Claiming that the actual number of huts and shacks doing business last year and during the ongoing season is much more, the locals added that many of these establishments did business without official approval, but remained in the goodwill list of the powers that be.
“Besides, innumerable kiosks are being operated by Kashmiris pertaining to the sale of different items along the village coastline,” said a source.
While the State’s tourism policy makes it mandatory for seasonal tourism operators to obtain permission from the tourism department to operate even on private property, sources said not even half of the stakeholders who had obtained NOC from the local body, have applied or obtained permission/licence from the tourism department last season as also in the ensuing season.
“It is not difficult to run a business without all approvals, especially since there is no official watch and no survey by any agency concerned, including the local body,” the source added.
Asked about the criteria for issuing seasonal tourism permits, Kankonkar said, “A CRZ nod is mandatory during this season, before the Tourism Department is authorized to issue seasonal permits to private tourism entrepreneurs/players as well. Now, the local body’s licence/NOC is needed first, followed by the Tourism Department’s permission.”
“However, our panchayat is yet to receive any order regarding the government’s notification of the CRZ’s mandatory consent for any seasonal tourism activities in the coastal areas,” added Kankonkar.
