Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ...

Is Goa “The Rome of the East or Israel in the East”? Outcome of the study
order to carry out their business smoothly, police are paid Rs.50, on a
daily basis and if not, they are beaten up. Night parties do take place,
mostly during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with the help of police and
local politicians, who are paid heavily.
Apart from tourism business, some people engaged themselves in fishing
and agriculture during the off-season.
B. Environmental Impact of Tourism
On the commencement of tourism season, shacks and huts owners are
engaged in construction of shacks and huts which are less than 50 mts.
from the High Tide Line (H.T.L.) Sand is used from the shore for construction
of huts and as a result sand dunes are flattened. Some of the structures
are temporarily erected on top, coated with plastic which contrasts the
beauty of the beach. “Beach will appear more beautiful when the shacks
and cottages are dismantled” asserts a local. Whole stretch is covered
with coconut trees but at some places bushes, shrubs and so on have
given way for the structures. Fishing boats are visible along the shore
indicating the fishing activity. Fishermen reveal that during the monsoons,
fishing is profitable business but later the catch is scanty. They also affirm
that the catch has declined in the past years. There is no water sport, but
still tourism has created difficulties for the fishermen.
Garbage disposal is another problem encountered on the beach. Garbage
bins are merged with the ground and no garbage bins are visible, as a
result garbage such as plastic bottles and cans are scattered on the
shore. These are collected regularly by Cancona Municipal Council
(C.M.C.) workers and negligently burnt at the extreme end leaving behind
a heap of ashes. Land grabbing around the vicinity of the sea is a constant
phenomenon. Even the island which is imbibed with greenery is acquired
for constructing hotels but locals opined that it is a distant reality and they
will strongly oppose the move. As far as water and power supply is
concerned, people have no problem. Well water is also not contaminated.
There is also noise pollution during Christmas season due to parties.
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