The coastline and out marine ecology needs desperate measures for protection and preservation. Its not that we are not aware of the degradation that is happening. The government also needs to put in very strict mechanisms to prevent and punish the violates.
Its votes gathering time ! Dhavalikar finally decides to meet with the taxi operators . Is he really serious about solving their grievances?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Dhavalikar-meets-taxi-operators-to-resolve-issues/articleshow/52644872.cms
The first meeting of the committee constituted under the chairmanship oftransport minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar alias Sudin to look into the grievances oftourist taxi operators was held on Tuesday.
In April 2016, tourist taxi operators had gone on strike, protesting the alleged non-action by the government in not fulfilling their pending demands. Their main demand included action against self- drive cars operating illegally as tourist taxis in Goa.
A transport official said, since it was the first meeting after the committee was constituted, no decision was taken, although issues were discussed. The second meeting is scheduled next week and some concrete decisions are expected.
Tourists, visiting Goa in April, were affected when more than 10,000 tourist taxis and auto-rickshaws remained off the road for two whole days. They ended their protest after chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar assured them to resolve their issues in a phased manner. The committee was specifically formed to sort out the issues.
Tourist taxi operators are opposed to electronic meters, and have also been demanding dropping criminal charges against some taxi operators when their agitation turned violent in 2014 when they gathered in large numbers at Porvorim and blocked the highway.
Vice- president of North Goa taxi owners’ association, Ravindra Vengurlekar told TOI, “After the initial meeting that took place on April 12, the CM had assured us that four weekly meetings would be held to resolve issues. We have reminded the CM about these meetings on two occasions, but to no avail.”
Yet another example of the locals not wanting the so-called- development that has been proposed by the government. It is very clear that this will not only affect the livelihoods of local fishermen but will also be detrimental to the ecology.
http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=18457
Stating that the proposed Chapora river project is detrimental to the interest of the local people, residents of Tembwada, Varnawada, Chapora, Camurlim and Parsem on Sunday reiterated their opposition to the project and vowed not to allow the project under any condition. The decision was taken at meeting at Tembwada-Morjim, which was attended by a large number of residents from Temwada, Varnawada, Chapora, Camurlim and Parsem. Morjim Sarpanch Seema Sangle, Panch Nilesh Shetgaokar, GPCC vice-president Babi Bagkar, NCP vice-president Rajan Satlekar, block president Rohidas Arolkar, former Morjim sarpanch Anuradha Marje, ex-sarpanch of Parsem Gurudas Pande, social worker Devendra Prabhudessai, fisherman Vinod Pernekar, Morjim Taxi Association president Sanjay Kole, Amrut Agarwadekar and Sachin Parab attended the meeting. On the occasion, Chapora Bachav Samiti was formed and its first meeting will be convened at Chapora fish market on June 11 at 5 pm. The speakers at the meeting said the proposed project is detrimental to the interest of local people and it will affect
fishing activities and other occupations. Speaking at the meeting, Pernem Swabhiman organization president Devendra Prabhudessai said: “Laxmikant Parsekar is the son of Pernem and chief minister of Goa. He should have taken the local people into confidence before bringing the project of such a magnitude which will be detrimental to the local interest.” “People from Pernem are not against the project. Even we are for development, but if government tries to bring a project which is not favourable to us, then we will fight tooth and nail to oppose it,” warned Prabhudessai. In his speech, Babi Bagkar said people of Pernem are not against development. “Tourism trade must grow, but while taking any decision on eco-tourism local people and the local panchayat should be taken into,” he added. “There are no tourist facilities of any kind along the Chapora coast since last 52 years. The government should provide changing rooms, toilets, bathrooms and parking facilities at the coast. The government is trying to bring eco-tourism only to benefit some people,” alleged Bagkar. Hitting out at the government for trying to mislead the people by showing a film on eco-tourism, youth Congress leader Sachin Parab said the government should study what the people from Pernem really wants. “If government wants to appease people from Delhi by bringing such a project, then we will oppose it till the last,” said Parab. Rajan Satlekar alleged that “The government is doing nothing to extend tourist trade at Morjim, Ashvem, Man drem, Harmal and Keri-Tiricol beaches. It had an eye on Chapora river and wants to bring casinos through the back door.” Morjim Sarpanch Seema Sangle said: “If local people don t want the project in Chapora river, then the panchayat will be with them.”
– See more at: http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=18457#sthash.BaUPWZZr.dpuf
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Industry-expects-more-Russians-in-tourist-season/articleshow/52611184.cms
While charter tourist arrivals for the just concluded tourist season touched an all-time low since 2009-2010, the next tourist season is expected to be a little better with an anticipated rise in Russian charter tourists .
The decline in Russian charters meant bad news for the local tourism industry during the last couple of years and a resurgence is likely to boost the number of arrivals.
Till April 18, this year, 749 charters landed in the state bringing in a total of 1,54,061 tourists, including 1,02,182 Russians , 34,500 Britons, 9,832 Ukrainians, 3,544 Kazakhs, 2,145 Finns and 1,869 Iranians.
Sita (India) handles a large chunk of Russian charter tourists. It’s COO Ernest Dias said the number of Russian charters is likely to be better in the coming tourist season. Goa is likely to gain with Egypt’s Russian market taking a hit. Also, there’s likely to be rise in tourists from Britain.
Moscow banned flights to Egypt after a passenger airliner was blown up by terrorists over the Sinai on route from the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg last year. Around 224 Russian tourists and crew died in what security agencies concluded was a terrorist attack. As a result, direct flights to Egypt were suspended. The Russian government also requested tour operators to stop selling holiday packages to that country.
Prior to the ban, Egypt and Turkey were among the most popular international destinations among Russians.
Since 2010-2011, Goa tourism saw a consistent increase in the number of Russian tourist arrivals while its traditional European market shrunk.
But, the arrival of Russian tourists started dropping as economic trouble began in Russia two years ago.
Some tour operators are expecting their numbers from European destinations to go up as well, but are a little skeptical of unforeseen hikes in hotel tariff at the eleventh hour as it happened last season due to defence expo that happened at the end of March.
A tour operator said hotels refused to honour bookings made by them in advance to cash-in on arrivals for defence expo. The hotels made a killing, but tour operators had to suffer. There were cancellations as hotel tariffs were hiked.
This kind of development, a tour operator said put them in a tight spot even as they are struggling to up their international booking.
Poor infrastructure at the airport that so called won an award for being one among India’s best airports….
My question to the TTAG president is, do only cheap tourists cause problems ? and the so called rich tourist don’t ?
