MARGAO
As beach shack operations come under the lens of citizens, with skeletons tumbling out post-violent incidents, the common refrain seemed loud and clear – break the chain of illegalities, from the sub-letting of shacks to cracking the whip against officials and law enforcement agencies for turning a blind eye to the illegalities.
Voices have been heard calling to block the corporate sector from intruding into the beach shack business, which is primarily meant for the educated Goan unemployed youth.
Amidst rampant illegalities, environmental activists tend to remind us that the beach belt needs to heal and rest after the monsoons, calling for sustainable tourism as activists raised questions on the disposal of waste and sewage, damage to flora and fauna, illegal bore wells, etc.
The beach belt in South Goa may be relatively free from the violent incidents witnessed along the crowded North Goa beach stretch. Stakeholders as well as citizens alike, however, caution that what is happening in the North can also take place down South unless the Tourism officials and law enforcement agencies step in to stem the rot.
Sources in the know say encroachments by the beach shacks all start with the sub-letting of the shacks to outsiders or corporates, including starred hotels and restaurants, when the whole idea behind beach shacks is to provide employment avenues for the Goan unemployed youth.
Colva-based social activist Judith Almeida was blunt in accusing officials of turning a blind eye to the illegalities and encroachments on the beach by the shacks for consideration. “You think the blatantly illegal activities can take place without money exchanging hands? I am an activist fighting to save the coastal belt from environmental destruction and I know why the illegalities are not nipped in the bud by officials and the police,” she said.
In fact, Judith has squarely blamed the Tourism department and the Goa police for the emerging situation, which has left local visitors on the beach at the mercy of the staff of the shack operators. “What are the locals or visitors supposed to do when they find beach beds spread all around, blocking public space? The locals and visitors come face to face with the shack operators just because the tourism officials and police have abdicated their responsibility in cracking the whip against illegal activities,” she added.
Judith has cautioned about the repeated attempts being made to intrude into the beach shack business by the corporate world, besides resorts and hotels. “In the past, we had come across someone from Pune moving the Union Ministry for Environment seeking permission to set up beach shacks along the Goan beach belt. I know of instances wherein shack operators are running 2-3 shacks at one time. How is this possible without sub-letting the shacks and without the knowledge of concerned officials? The root cause of the problem lies with sub-letting,” she said.
She added: “Everyone should understand that beaches undergo the healing process after the monsoons. The period between October and February is considered a resting period for the beach post-monsoons. In Goa, the beach belt is being used to erect shacks to provide employment for the Goan youth. We have no issue if the locals get employment through the beach shacks during this period. That does not mean that the outside corporate world and the hotel and restaurant owners can intrude into the shack business.”
President of the Shack Owners Welfare Society, Cruz Cardozo, who runs a shack at Cavelossim-Mobor, was frank in admitting the sub-letting of shacks, besides encroachments on the beach. “We do not support shack operators sub-letting their beach shacks to outsiders. We have been fighting for a beach shack policy in the interest of Goan youth. Hence, there is no place for sub-letting of shacks,” he said.
As far as beach bed encroachments are concerned, Cruz said that proper demarcation, coupled with close supervision and monitoring by tourism officials and law enforcement agencies, can help curb illegalities on the beach.
