Rs 1 lakh fine imposed for violating beach-use rules
The Tourism Department on Wednesday issued a Show Cause Notice to a Mandrem beach resort, after the property allegedly conducted an unauthorised beach wedding on November 17 despite being warned to stop the event.
Details shared by the department to the media revealed that a Tourist Warden deployed at Mandrem beach reported an “illegal setup” being erected for a wedding around 6 pm on Monday. The warden, assisted by the Tourism Police, halted the preparations and directed the resort staff to remove the structure.
“Despite clear instructions, the resort proceeded to hold the wedding ceremony on the government-notified beach area,” it said, calling the act a violation of the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act, 2001. The department has directed Riva Beach Resort Pvt Ltd to pay a penalty of Rs 1 lakh within seven days and to explain why action should not be taken under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 and Rules, 1985, including the possibility of cancellation of its registration.
“The beach wedding took place without mandatory approval and without payment of the prescribed fees. No individual or entity is permitted to carry out activities in a tourist place that cause nuisance, annoyance or deterioration of the area without prior permission,” the official noted.
The notice further warns of potential proceedings under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
“Unauthorised events on notified beach areas will not be tolerated,” the department said, adding that strict action would be taken to ensure responsible tourism practices.
