PANAJI
After initially saying no to deck beds at the Morjim and Mandrem beach stretch which were designated as turtle nesting sites and silent zones, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has now permitted five deck beds per shack along these coastal belt, with a rider that the same needs to be removed before sunset.
During its meeting held earlier this month, the GCZMA has also said that the beach beds at designated locations should be laid only in consultation with the Forest Department.
In October, last year, the Authority had granted permissions for erection of beach shacks at Morjim and Mandrem with a condition that no deck beds would be allowed since the area being designated as Silent Zone. However, the Tourism department moved a fresh proposal, seeking clarity on the same.
Accordingly, the Authority approached the Forest Department for their comments over the proposal. The Forest Department in their submission recommended that there should be a restriction on the number of deck beds per shack and that no deck beds be kept on the beach late evening or after sunset.
The department also said that the “area needs to be designated for deck beds in consultation with them as beach dynamics changes after every monsoon”.
The recommendations that were accepted also includes no serving of eatables on deck beds as it can attract stray dogs and waste generated should be properly disposed of and also no plastic items to be used.
