from Lenny Barretto
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)

Panaji, May 4: The recent decision of High court asking the tourism department to clear off the beaches from excessive beach beds has to be welcomed. With every passing year, it is noticed that Goa's pristine, sandy beaches are being sacrificed at the altar of excessive commercialization.

The tourism department has failed to look after the interests of Goa's beach tourism. It's nature's bounty that there are such be beautful beaches and this gift hass crystalised into a major commercial activity. Knowing all this, we should help preserve our beaches, which attracts tourists from across the globe.

The beach shacks was like value addition to our beaches. Initially, everyone admired the beach shacks and loved to sip in soft drink or beer sitting in the shacks. What came later was the beach beds. The tourism department as a policy matter allows five beds per shack. The shack-owner can apply for five more. But if you frequent beaches like Baga, one would see that beach beds hundreds in number are laid on the beaches.

The shack-owners tell you how the tourism department people are harassing them for hafta. The shack-owners, who default legally, pay the money and manage to run their business. When defaulters and authorities club hands together, the only hope is the judiciary. The Goa bench of Bombay high court has saved Goa's people by ordering the tourism department to mend their affairs.

Hopefully now onwards, we will be able to see clean beaches. Clean in the sense that excessive beach beds would be a thing of the past. We will have clean pathway to walk on the beaches. The tourists will have easy access to stand on the beach and enjoy waves that hit the shores. The tourism department should act now and should not let the high court to remind them again.