CANACONA
Hundreds of tourism stakeholders gathered at the taluka administrative complex to protest against GCZMA’s planned demolition of certain tourism structures on Monday. The demolitions were then temporarily stayed following the intervention of Canacona MLA and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar.
As the demolition squad requisitioned by GCZMA was getting ready to start razing about five tourism-related structures “ two at Palolem and three at Agonda beaches “ in the morning, a strong crowd gathered outside the Deputy Collector Office-cum-Government Complex at Chaudi.
The GCZMA demolitions were reportedly the outcome of an NGT order for CRZ violations against the five identified structures at Agonda and Palolem beaches, which directed GCZMA and Tourism department to act against the illegalities.
It may be recalled that a fortnight ago, similar demolitions were carried out at Patnem and Ourem (Palolem) besides including some permanent structures at Khola beach.
Several tourism stakeholders, particularly led by All Goa Private Property Huts and Shack Owners Association president Dharmesh Saglani and others, were already at the Canacona government offices complex, well before the demolition squad led by Canacona Deputy Collector could proceed to the respective sites to carry out demolitions.
Hundreds of people engaged in various type of tourism trade on the Canacona Municipal coasts, besides Agonda and Khola beaches participated in the protest, with some carrying placards and banners, to pressure authorities to stop harassing people engaged in
self-employment.
As the crowd led by Saglani tried to meet the Deputy Collector and Canacona Mamlatdar, former minister Isidore Fernandes too joined the crowd in support. Tawadkar then reached the spot and assured that no tourism structure would be demolished on Monday and appealed to people to remain calm.
Tawadkar proceeded to Deputy Collector Kedar Naik’s cabin and spoke to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on his cellphone, apprising him of the situation.
Tawadkar than reportedly conveyed the chief minister’s message that no demolition would be undertaken on Monday and only inspections of sites should be conducted during the day.
“As informed by the chief minister, you can go and carry out inspection of the coast and prepare a report, but no demolition should be undertaken today,” Tawadkar directed the Deputy Collector in the presence of Canacona Mamlatdar Ramesh Gaonkar, much to the relief of the protesting people.
Later as the crowd began to disperse, a team of officials which includes Deputy Collector Kedar Naik, Canacona Mamlatdar Gaonkar and GCZMA officer Lavesh Shirodkar headed to Palolem to carry out the inspections. Sources informed that the team did not proceed to Agonda, where three tourism structures were slated for demolition.
