Goan fishermen push back threat of demolishing encroachments, say the beach is theirs

React to Tourism Minister’s remark by asking to fix the CRZ plan; saying only fishermen have the right to live in regulation zones

Published on:

09 Jul 2023, 1:31 am

PANJIM: Reacting to Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte’s remark aimed at removing illegal encroachments on beaches, fisherfolk were quick to take the narrative to the well-intentioned and fisherfolk-friendly CRZ 2011 plan.

The fishermen have said that the government has completely messed up the CRZ 2011 plan and without proper data; the action of the government will be a major jolt to the community.

The fishermen across Goa have said that the Tourism Department is not the owner of the traditional beach stretches. The fishermen have reminded that successive CRZ plans have only underlined the fact that only the fishermen have the right to live in the 500-metre tide line.

Roy Baretto, Restaurateur & Water Sports Entrepreneur, Cavelossim, said, “If we go by the CRZ plans from 1991 to 2019 it is amply clear that all will have to pack off from the regulation zones and only fishermen get the right to live,” he said.

“The government has always been going against the small traditional hutments and the statement of the Tourism Minister only proves this,” he added.

“Nowhere is the Tourism Department mentioned in the CRZ notification having a brief over the beaches,” Baretto said.

General Secretary of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott Olencio Simoes said, “Fishermen villages may have been demarcated; they have not been done properly and all over Goa.”

“You act against encroachment as far as tourism is concerned. But if you remove the traditional huts and landing areas of the fishermen then where will the fishermen go?” he asked.

“Although the Tourism Department is doing the demarcation it does not give the ownership to the Tourism Department as there are so many customary rights of the fishermen on the beaches,” he said.

The Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte after holding the Goa Tourism Board meeting had said that the demarcation of beach areas has been done and encroachment areas have been marked and further course of strict action will be taken.”