The renaming of Goa’s famous Mini Vagator beach also known as Ozran Beach by a private entity, in the name of a famous music festival brand. has been taken seriously by the villagers, and they have filed a complaint with various authorities in this regard.
It is not a surprising fact that when a big brand is involved in the development process in Goa the government always takes it easy, they hardly interfere in such development regardless of the outcome of it.
Goa’s beaches are public areas and cannot be remained as private property by anyone.
According to the reports, The Vagator Anjuna Caisua Villagers’ Forum has filed a complaint with various authorities against non-compliance of a demolition order by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) of a structure at Ozran, Vagator.
You might have witnessed an advertisement with the title “Sunburn Beach” advertised on social media showing the Mini Vagator beach in the picture.
The copies of the complaints have been sent to the Local Panchayats, District Collector’s office, Tourism Department and GCZMA In its complaint the forum has stated that construction activity was carried out at the site despite the demolition order issued by the Coastal Zone Management Authority.
You might have witnessed an advertisement with the title “Sunburn Beach” advertised on social media showing the Mini Vagator beach in the picture. This something opposed by the villagers of Vagator.
The complaint has also stated the project proponents are advertising the local Ozran beach after a popular music festival.
“This is an attempt to rename a traditional area called Ozran or Small Vagator that has been known since decades, and it is being advertised as a private beach when in reality the beach is a public area and has been frequented by the local population, domestic and international tourists,” the forum has stated in its complaint.
The copies of the complaints have been sent to the Local Panchayats, District Collector’s office, Tourism Department and GCZMA
The forum, which operates under the aegis of the church-run Centre for Responsible Tourism, has urged authorities to immediately stop work at the site and withdraw or cancel any licenses granted, and also comply with the demolition order that was issued in June last year.
Anjuna sarpanch Savio Almeida said that after the demolition order was issued, the party has gone in appeal to the directorate of panchayats. He also said that the panchayat has not issued any permission to carry out construction at the site.
This is an attempt to rename a traditional area called Ozran or Small Vagator that has been known for decades, and it is being advertised as a private beach when in reality the beach is a public area…
Meanwhile, the matter got into the court, but the construction of the structure is going on in full swing, and by the time they get an order from the court the project might get complete. Who is responsible for this? Why the tourism department is not looking into this as they are not the nodal authorities for the places that come under the purview of tourism? What about the Goa CM who holds the Home Department? Is he not worried about Goa’s beach is being advertised as private property?
