The government’s decision, however, was to reduce crowdingof beaches and to enforce better discipline.
“We have been verystrict on entire issue of beach beds since in the past beach beds blockedaccess to the shore. If there is any violation of beds outside the six meterzone, we immediately issue an oral warning to the shack owner. Then the tourismand coastal police takes the required action,” Director of Tourism, NikhilDessai said.
But shack owners point out that tourists have startedcancelling their holidays due to the strict government rules.
We have already heard of tourist cancelling holidays.
“In a way keeping the problems of Baga, Calangute andCandolim in mind, the rule to reduce beach beds and tables is a good rule. Buton my trip to Thailand I have seen the government there also provides beachbeds,” said Roger Fernandes of Rogers Beach Shack Cavelossim.
“If your guests are not comfortable to sun-bathe and rest onthe beach, they’re not going to come on the beach. Foreign tourists are lookingfor other options and cancelling their holidays to Goa,” he added.
Another shack owner from Colva rued the rules of no sofas onthe beach and no tables allowed outside a beach shack.
“A meal at a Goan shack is always unique and brings adifferent experience. Not just tourist but even Goans love coming to eat at thebeach under candlelight at a table in the sand close to the waves in the openair. These important features of a shack have now gone missing. Last Saturday,a group of English tourists canceled their holiday to Goa hearing of the newrules for shacks and don’t want to return,” the shack owner said.
“The new strict rules have already eaten into ourtraditional business. But where are the government services? Where is the beachcleaning and garbage contractor for each beach? Where is the government’sassistance in clearing garbage to keep the beach clean? These are vitalquestions we will be laying before the tourism director, Nikhil Dessai,” Cruzsaid.
Meanwhile, Siddarth Andrade, a local, questioned the anticsof the shack owners who charge locals and domestic tourists an exorbitant feeof Rs 200 per hour to use the beach beds while foreign tourists are allowed touse the same for free.
Clearly a meeting ground is important between the tourismauthorities and the shack owners. Or else, there will be no tourists on thebeach beds, and shack owners will spend sleepless days and nights.
