CANACONA
The relative ease in erecting shacks and huts by squatting on private property at Agonda beach has led locals to allege that the number of structures at a site only depends on the operator's proximity to the authorities.
According to a villager, Fernando Fernandes, over 100 stakeholders, mostly outsiders, have been engaged in the tourism trade on disputed private land in Agonda.
“No inspection of such activities has been done, either by the local body or government authorities like the deputy collector or mamlatdar. While shacks and huts have sprung on several private properties, not many have applied for permission as they do not have any land papers. Simply grease the palms of some officials and complete the tourism season without any fear.”
Asked to estimate the number of structures in Agonda, Fernandes added: “It could be anyone's guess that over 1,500 rooms have sprung up and rented out to tourists. Some applicants declare 2-4 huts/rooms, but actually operate over a dozen huts. Could this happen without the knowledge of elected representatives or local body,” asked Fernandes.
“Sand dunes on almost the entire beach, which have been reserved for turtle nesting, have been destroyed. Dining tables/chairs, sun beds, beach bungalows, etc, have been erected on the beach, with little respect to the law of the land.”
“Why has no action been initiated against these shacks/huts operators, who complete the entire season without paying a rupee to the local body? This has happened previously and is likely to continue during this tourism season as well.”
“Sometime, the panchayat issues them permissions by accepting dubious land papers. This has to be investigated and culprits should be brought to book,” demanded Fernandes.
Other residents have claimed that over 18 yoga schools are functioning under different names and styles in the village, while unauthorized massage parlours are also operating, mostly in private rooms and shacks.
What has also complicated matters is the presence of another stakeholder in Agonda beach.
Agonda beach has been reserved for the rehabilitation of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles and the Forest department is also setting up a Nature Interpretation Centre to guard and protect Olive Ridley turtle eggs.
Responding to the criticisms, Agonda Panchayat Secretary Sushant Naik Gaonkar insisted that efforts were made to tackle illegal tourism operations along Agonda's coast.
“An inspection of the village coastline was scheduled last week. But somehow, the secretly planned exercise got leaked and the inspection could not take place as illegal operators had their structures removed from the coast,” admitted Gaonkar.
“We still have plans to inspect the coastal areas for any illegal structures,” he said.
“However, it is up to ward panchas to intimate the panchayat about illegalities taking place in their areas.”
