News Articles
Tourism Dept land up for grabs?
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, FEB 12 â Is land acquired by the Tourism Department in the coastal village of Colva up for grabs? Indeed, this question has returned back to haunt the Tourism Department again, as unscrupulous elements are believed to have encroached upon acquired land in Colva, by putting up pucca structures and leasing out the same to Laamanis and others.
That the tourism land stands encroached became known at the gram sabha meeting of Colva village panchayat when the body was discussing the weekly night market at Colva beach grounds.
Sources told Herald that some elements enjoying political clout has encroached on tourism land at least in two separate areas acquired by the department. In the first instance, pucca structures have come on the acquired land, which has been since let out to the Laamanis.
In another instance, hotel establishments are believed to have encroached on the tourism land abutting a road.
Herald understands the matter was brought to the notice of the local body, which has expressed its helplessness in initiating action against the structures on the acquired land.
When contacted, Colva Panchayat Administrator, Snowcon Gonsalves said whatever encroachments that have come up on tourism acquired land should be tackled by the tourism department. âThe local panchayat body has no say in the matter vis-a-vis encroachmentsâ, he said.
Both Tourism Director Sandeep Jacques and Assistant Director Parsenkar could not be contacted for their comments on the encroachments.
Incidentally, the Tourism Department had over a year ago cracked a whip against encroachments that had come up on acquired land admeasuring 54,000-odd square metres. This land was acquired by the Tourism Department in late 90âs with the avowed objective of maintaining open space for the benefit of tourists, but was encroached upon with the acquired land lying unutilised.
Sadly, local traditional fishermen who were displaced by the encroachment demolition drive have been high and dry as rehabilitation package is yet to see the light of day.
