The countdown has begun for the upcoming tourism season withfirst charter flight to arrive in the first week of October.
But fate of shack owners is still in the dark as no shacklicenses would be issued by mid-October, as Goa Coastal Zone ManagementAuthority has asked the tourism department not to issue the same.
“If we promote Goa as 365 days destination then shacksshould be allowed. It the beach is getting washed away then we should stop alltourism activities to save the beaches,” said an agitated John Lobo generalsecretary, Shack Owners Welfare Society.
Around 350 shack owners are directly affected by the tourismdepartment’s decision to delay allotment of shacks on beaches.
It may be recalled that GCZMA had recommended to the tourismdepartment not to allow temporary structures on the beach, as it will disturbthe natural restoration of sand which takes place once the monsoon season isover.
Acting on the recommendation, the tourism department haspostponed issuing of licenses to shack on the beaches.
Shack owners meanwhile are also demanding for a long termpolicy. They want license for a period of 10 years and that it should not bedone through lottery system. They even want the size of a shack to be of 20x10meters size instead of present 12 x 6 with 15 pairs of beach beds.
“If tourism department has decided to delay issuing shacklicenses then all tourism related activities should also be delayed, includingthat of five star hotels,” said Cruz Cardozo, President of Shack Owners WelfareSociety.
According Seby, a shack owner there is no scientific evidencefor the process of natural beach restoration as claimed by government agencies.“Whether we put shacks or not, the beach will be restored on its own,” he said.
“We haven’t made any public announcement nor have we issuedany notification in respect of matter temporary seasonal structures forupcoming tourism season,” was GCZMA’s stoic reply to the shack owners.
Speaking to The Goan Nikhil Dessai, Director of Tourismsaid: “We are bound by High Court orders which say recommendations by GCZMAshould be implemented. GCZMA has given a list of recommendations which includesissues like five deck beds for each shack and that no temporary structuresshould be erected.”
