the goan I network
PANAJI
On the last day of the tourism season, the Department of Tourism, has instructed all shack operators to dismantle their shacks and dispose off all materials without causing any harm to the environment.
In a circular issued by the Department of Tourism pointed out that in previous years, some shack operators after season closure, disposed material used for construction by burning or burying it in the sand on the beaches without having any regard to the environment.
According to the shack policy, structures have to be dismantled by May 31, 2018 and a report is to be submitted by June 10, 2018.
However this time, the department is seeking a separate report by the June 20, 2018 regarding the manner in which the materials have been disposed.
“Failing to do so either in the submission of the report or causing an environmental hazard while disposing of material, that allotment of the shack operator would be cancelled along with strict action which would include non-renewal of license for the next tourism season 2018-19,” the department has warned.
Shacks are given permission from October to May with the permission valid for three years. The shack owners however have to dismantle their shacks during the monsoons and use only natural materials in the building of the shack. Further, the shacks are not allowed to dig soak pits on the beach for kitchen waste or other waste.
However, violations by shack operators are not uncommon with the tourism department unable to keep a complete check on the activities at these shacks.
The department has formed squads to ensure that shacks are removed from the beaches and signboards are installed to warn tourists against venturing in the Arabian Sea.
The last chartered flight carrying international visitors to Moscow in Russia had flown out of Goa about a fortnight back, thus formally culminating the international tourist season in the state.
According to the tourism department’s figures, around 7.7 million tourists both domestic and international visited the state in 2017.
From January to March this year, about 8.6 lakh visitors came to Goa.
Besides, 65,523 international travellers came to Goa from November 2017 till April this year in cruise ships.
