The Goa church-backed tourism resource group has condemnedthe state government's action of delaying the commencement of tourist seasonfor the beach shack operators while terming it as 'pro-five star hotel lobbymove.'
The state government is stringent on the beach shack ownerswhile permitting the five-star hotels and resorts on the beach to beextravagant in their disregard of responsible environmental, social and ethicalstandards, Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT) spokesman Fr Maverick Fernandessaid, in a statement issued yesterday.
Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), an agency ofthe state government, had last week recommended delay in commencing of shackoperations until October 15, in order to protect the coast by avoiding thedisturbance of sand accretion and beach degeneration.
Fr Fernandes alleged that the government has resorted todelaying tactics with dubious excuses and irrational arguments.
"If that be so then the government ought to imposesimilar rules on the big hotels too. One fails to understand that how onlyshack operations would disturb the sand accretion. Why the double standards,especially when the big hotels emit a larger quantum of sewage andgarbage?" he asked.
The CRT has said the shacks are planning to appoint acontractor for waste disposal and cleaning up operations.
"There are examples of several five-star hotels both inthe North and South of Goa that emit waste and sewage in the sea," FrFernandes alleged.
When contacted a GCZMA official, on condition of anonymity,said, "The decision was taken after scientifically studying the coastalissues. Now, it is for the state tourism department to accept or reject ourrecommendations."
The state government is likely to take up the issue on the'shack policy', being framed for the first time in the tourist state of Goa,which is likely to be out in the next couple of days.
