Goa Tourism sees red over depiction

Posted on July 1, 2016 by crtgoa9020

We can seek bans or censors on movies but that does not take the reality away. Its better to acknowledge we have a problem and deal with it rather then hide it under the carpet.

mov

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Meeting on Child Safety in Tourism with youth of Arrosim Chapel

Posted on June 30, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Date: 26th June 2016

Agenda:   Sensitization of Youth to Exploitation of Children in Tourism

 

Total no. present : 70 youth

 

Fr. Savio welcomed the youth and explained the purpose of the meeting. He spoke about tourism and how it is the 2nd largest industry after mining.  He made the youth speak about the positives and negatives in tourism. He highlighted the various forms of exploitation that happens to children in tourism.

Following Fr.Savios’ introduction, a  new participatory methodology was used. The group was divided into 3 sub groups and each group given different areas to discuss and dwell upon: Group 1 watched a video clip and discussed various issues  seen in the clip that are faced by youth and children as a result of tourism. Group 2 discussed specific child related laws that prevailed. Group 3 was given 4 situations of children on the beach and asked to discuss which where acceptable and which were not according to them.

Group one identified most of the areas depicted in the clip. They also had good examples that they had experienced  and shared that with the rest of the group.

Group 2 spoke about rights of children at large. The rights identified by them were mostly general human rights. The most significant right they mentioned was the Right to Education. They were not aware of GCA and POCSO

Group 3 had some mixed feelings about the 1st incident . However they were very clear about the other three being absolutely unacceptable.

Following the group discussion and reporting as an in-depth session on GCA and POCSO was conducted.

This was followed by a quiz for the youth with covered various questions that were covered in the presentations and group discussions.

 
arrosim 2 arrossim3 arrossim4

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Meeting on Child Safety in Tourism with youth of Trinity Church Benaulim

Posted on June 30, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Agenda:   Sensitization of Youth to Exploitation of Children in Tourism

 

Total no. present : 47 youth

 

Fr. Savio welcomed the youth and explained the purpose of the meeting. He highlighted the various forms of exploitation that happens to children in tourism

Roselle made a presentation ‘ The dark side of tourism in Goa’ with special focus on children and its challenges to youth. The presentation also touched upon  the legal provisions of Goa Children’s Act and POCSO  .

Following were some points covered

  • Assessment of the present situation of exploitation of children in tourism
  • Types of exploitations
  • Possible interventions

Legal/social/community based/awareness building

benaulim 1 (3)

benaulim 1 (2)benaulim 1 (1)

 

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These abandoned watchtowers don’t create image of responsible tourism –

Posted on June 29, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Nothing about the present pattern of the governments tourism policy is responsible. This is yet another classical example.

http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=19627

The crumbling and corroding lifeguard watchtowers have become eyesores as they are still standing right at the entrance to the picturesque Colva and Benaulim beaches – the favourite destination for locals and domestic tourists.  
When The Goan team took a stroll of the Colva-Benaulim beach belt, it came across the abandoned watchtowers right at the entrance of the two beaches. Inquiries have revealed that though the authorities have erected new watchtowers at both the beaches, the old ones continue to remain.
 Take the case of the Colva watchtower. It’s now over a year since the lifeguards had moved into the new tower, but the old one still remains, with its corroded steel rods posing danger to beach goers. Many tourists take shelter under the structure, without realizing that the weak structure may come crashing down any moment. “Tourists rush inside the weak structure when caught in the sudden rain. We have to constantly warn people not to take shelter inside as the tower may give way any moment,” informed a lifeguard manning the Colva beach.  
The situation at the Benaulim beach is no different. Though a new watchtower was put up in March, the old tower has not been removed. A life guard manning the new tower told The Goan that the structure of the tower is not complete in all respects. The canopy is yet to fall in place and this is causing us great hardships, he stated. “In the absence of a canopy, rainwater finds its way into the structure,” remarked another lifeguard, while making a fervent plea to dismantle the old tower and provide canopy to the new one.

– See more at: http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=19627#sthash.27yd7lDt.dpuf

Posted in Beaches of Goa, Environment | Leave a comment

GCZMA objects to plan for 365-day shacks

Posted on June 29, 2016 by crtgoa9020

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GCZMA-objects-to-plan-for-365-day-shacks/articleshow/52963714.cms

The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) initiative to allow the shacks to continue on beaches throughout the year may face a roadblock as the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) members have strongly objected to the MoEFCC draft notification. GCZMA members said coastal conservation would be at stake if shacks are allowed throughout the year.

Last week, GCZMA held a meeting to discuss various issues. After the meeting, GCZMA members separately discussed the draft notification issued by the MoEFCC which allows shacks to continue on beaches. Speaking to TOI , GCZMA member A Mascarenhas said he has submitted his objection and suggestion in writing to environment secretary Kunal, who is also chairman of the GCZMA, on the draft notification.

Mascarenhas said allowing the shacks to remain in the intertidal zone during monsoon would result in a highly vulnerable situation where the temporary structure is likely to be washed off. “A shack that is defined as a purely temporary structure would eventually become a quasi-permanent restaurant,” he added.

Mascarenhas also said that such an approval would implicitly defeat the very purpose of CRZ guidelines for which the document was legislated. Another GCZMA member Nitin Sawant told TOI that the authority agreed with the suggestions and objections put forth by Mascarenhas. Sawant said once shacks are allowed throughout the year, then there is a change of ownership dispute in future. “Who will monitor if the shack is operating illegally,” he asked.

GCZMA member Ragunath Dhume said that allowing shacks throughout the year is “not a good” decision. Speaking to TOI, Dhume said that if a shack owner is allowed to keep the temporary structure cover, then he will leave behind garbage and sewage at the shack and there is a possibility that it will wash into the sea.

At present, beach shacks are allotted in Goa every three years. This year, the government is trying to change the beach shack allotment policy as a three-year tenure has come to an end. Government sources said that the state government is very keen in allowing the beach shacks to continue throughout the year, keeping in mind the next assembly election.

On April 25 MoEFCC had issued a draft notification for objections and suggestions and the last day to give objections and suggestions was June 24. In a draft amendment to the Coastal Zone Regulation Notification, 2011, MoEF proposes to facilitate beach shack allottees to maintain their structures for the period between June and August, which was earlier not allowed.

Posted in Shack Owners Welfare Society - SOWS Goa | Leave a comment

‘MoEFCC to give relaxation on Goa’s HTL’

Posted on June 28, 2016 by crtgoa9020

First the statement that Goa has adequate  forests covers , now the relaxation of the High Tide line. What is Mr. Arlekar thinking ? 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/MoEFCC-to-give-relaxation-on-Goas-HTL/articleshow/52946988.cms

Minister for environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) Prakash Javdekar on Monday assured the state government to provide concession while demarcating high tide line (HTL) in the state, minister for environment and forest Rajendra Arlekar said.

He said that the MoEFCC will file an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking relaxation in criteria for identifying private forests in the Goa. Arlekar who met Javdekar in Delhi told TOI that Javdekar is sympathetic to the state government’s demand to give relaxation while demarcating HTL.

National centre for sustainable coastal management (NCSCM), Chennai, has demarcated HTL in Goa and other coastal states, paving the way for preparation of coastal zone management plans (CZMP).

Arlekar said that HTL report would be given to the state government and thereafter it would be kept open for public objection and suggestion. “Based on the objection and suggestion, the state government will prepare a proposal considering the effect on ecology and environment and a proposal would be submitted to the MoEFCC to give concession while demarcating HTL,” he added.

Arlekar also discussed the issue of private forest with the Union minister and MoEFCC officials. Arlekar said that Javdekar in his presence discussed the issue of private forest with MoEFCC officials and decided to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking relaxation in criteria for identifying private forests in the state.

He said that Javdekar will now discuss the private forest issue with legal experts and an affidavit would be filed in the matter.

As per the criteria adopted in identifying a ‘forest’, the area should have 75% of tree composition of forestry species, should be contiguous to the government forest and if in isolation, the minimum area should be five hectares and the canopy density should not be less than 0.4 (40%)

A total of 1,440 sq m, which is about 38% of the geographical area, has been labelled as ‘forest’ area while more than 70 sqkm falls under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ). The total land mass is further reduced by 196.80 sqkm (up to 5.32%) on account of rivers and other water bodies while agricultural land accounts for roughly 40%, said a forest official.

Posted in Beaches of Goa | Leave a comment