MARGAO
Saying that the Central government is out to take away the beaches from the control of the local population, Cavelossim villagers led by Roy Barretto and Natividade D’Costa have warned the panchayat and the government not to impose the Blue Flag Certification on the Cavelossim beach.
After stopping the work on the beach tower on Tuesday, Roy maintained that the tower is being erected on the beach as part of the Blue Flag Notification. “We have been opposing the Blue Flag Certification tag since 2019. The Blue Flag notification will not benefit the local populace. We have traditional fishermen and other tourism stakeholders including shack owners and tourist taxi drivers, who eke a living on the beach and tourism,” Roy said.
He added: The beach tower is being built in the inter-tidal zone in violation of the CRZ notification. This is a total violation and the officials may face jail if we go to the National Green Tribunal.”
Saying the people will oppose tooth and nail any attempt to impose Blue Flag Certification tag for Cavelossim, Roy demanded that the government should develop tourism keeping the interest of locals in mind.
A villager Natividade D’Costa said the beach tower is being built in gross violation of the norms, saying the tower and other facilities will come in the way of the fishing activities of traditional fishermen.
He also questioned the rationale behind the setting up of the Tourist Facilitation Centre in the village, saying the centre is an attempt to get Ola, Uber and GoaMiles into Cavelossim and displace the local taxi operators. He also pointed out that the proposed four-metre road to the beach near a starred hotel will be shut for local fishermen, fearing that people will be allowed to use the road only if they possess an identity card.
