MARGAO: After strong objections from the villagers pertaining to the erection of a Siren Tower at Cavelossim beach Village Panchayat Cavelossim issued a stop work order to the concerned department, as on Wednesday a group of villagers held a protest at the site.
Villagers have raised a serious concern of ongoing construction of Siren Tower at the beach near Hotel Byke.
Speaking to media persons, Roy Barretto, social activist, and a villager said the gram sabha had passed a resolution on February 28, 2021 to oppose the said Blue Flag notification and a special gram sabha meeting was proposed but till date no meeting was held.
"However, villagers noticed the erection of the said tower on the beach under the Blue Flag notification. Beach safety towers and beach safety equipment under the Blue Flag notification is one of their requirements under such notification to certify Cavelossim beach as Blue Flag certification", he said.
“It is a violation of CRZ notification 2011, as it falls in the eco-sensitive area and no such activities, and facilities are permitted as it is a CRZ-I area", Roy added.
He said they have no objections to providing basic facilities on the beaches, but it should not be handed over to the central agencies.
"We have also demanded to denotify the two places recommended by the panchayat to the concerned authority under the Blue Flag notification", he further said.
Taking serious note of the said objections, Village Panchayat Cavelossim on March 29 issued a stop work order to the concerned authorities.
In the order it has been mentioned that the gram sabha members have alleged that this project is a backdoor entry for the Blue Flag certification, which was earlier objected by the villagers, and the said resolution is already forwarded to the concerned department.