GUILHERME ALMEIDA
MARGAO
The mini-port proposal has left the local tourism players perplexed over the Centre’s move in a region that is known world over for its sandy beach belt spanning from Cavelossim-Mobor to Zalor and Fatrade-Varca belt.
They contend that a port in the immediate neighbourhood will spell doom for the tourism industry. Questions have been raised whether tourism can survive in the vicinity of a port “ which is being specifically proposed for export of iron ore and bauxite, with an option open to handle coal in future.
“Is the government in its senses to propose a mini port in an area known for its tourism activities just across the river Sal. How can the government think of bringing a port in the region when it ought to have come out with proposals to give further boost to tourism,” wondered hotelier Serafino Cota.
“Betul has a bay which could have been developed by the government with tourism in mind. Instead, a proposal is mooted to bring a port in the locality. The local community on the beach side is engaged in tourism. I fail to understand how this thought of a port has come up,” Cota questioned, while making a fervent plea to the Goa government not to give its green signal
to the project.
Shack owners echoed similar sentiments. President of Goa Shack Welfare Society, Cruz Cardozo, who runs a shack on the Mobor beach, said the proposal ought to be rejected outright by the Goa government. “Can tourism sustain in a port area when the entire operation envisages loading and unloading of iron ore, bauxite and coal? The port would not only spell doom for tourism, but also displace the local community and its livelihood,” Cruz said, while demanding scrapping of the port project.
Cruz demanded to know whether the government intends to turn the colour of white, sandy shores of Cavelossim-Mobor belt into red and black.
Former Cavelossim Sarpanch and small hotelier, Edwin Barretto, also wondered how the government can announce a mini port without an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study and taking stakeholders into confidence. “Fishing and toddy tapping had been the traditional occupation of the people of Cavelossim-Mobor over the decades, before they embraced tourism. How can the government take a decision which will have a direct fallout on the people who sustain on tourism?” Edwin questioned. Local tourist taxi operators also see red. President of the local tourist taxi operators, Natividade D’Costa, said the port in Betul will have an adverse impact on tourism, especially in the adjoining village of Cavelossim. “A large number of locals are dependent on the tourism industry. The government should not take any decision that would spell doom for the tourism industry,” Natividade stated.
The apprehensions raised by the tourism stakeholders are not entirely misplaced. Cavelossim village plays host to around half-a-dozen starred resorts, including three five-star hotels. Given the infrastructural facilities in the village, it has been the preferred destination of charter tourists, especially from Europe, including the UK. Over two dozen restaurants, besides a number of guest houses stand tall in the village “ which has been catering more to foreign than domestic ones over
the years.
