PANAJI
Authorities have finally begun a crackdown on the illegally operating beach shacks as 10 teams under the North District Collectorate sealed a staggering 113 such shacks on a single day, on Monday.
The illegal shacks at Candolim and Calangute were operating without the approval of the Goa State Pollution Control Board and caused environmental damage while also posing a threat to the delicate ecosystem.
A total of 48 shacks are granted permission by the Pollution Control Board.
Each team consisting of officials from the Collectorate well as GSPCB, Talathi among others concerned conducted a check before sealing the premises in the presence of police personnel.
The action followed based on the directives of the High Court of Bombay at Goa to close down the 161 illegally operating shacks.
The Department of Tourism had approved the construction of 167 shacks along the stretch, however, only six shack owners had obtained the permission from the GSPCB and other agencies. Therefore, action was ordered against 161 shacks operating without license.
Officials said that the high court took action also because these shacks had dug huge bore wells and soak pits without permission.
A government survey had ascertained the illegality.
