Colva gets a spruce-up,tourism dept brickbats

Posted on May 25, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Instead of waiting for the department to get its act together its best if the locals organise themselves and take charge of their own

http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=17690

With the Tourism Department turning a blind eye to the pathetic condition of the Colva beach and the surroundings, Colvekars on Monday stepped in to stem the rot by clearing the waste accumulated over the last several days.Initiated by Colva Sarpanch Menino Fernandes and panch member Calvert Gonsalves, the villagers along with workers went about cleaning the beach square and the coconut grove – the favourite resting place of the visitors, mostly Goans.

That s not all. The panchayat body has now decided to knock the doors of the High Court seeking directions to the government and the authorities to keep the most preferred tourist destinations clean and hygienic. “Local villagers had no option but to step in as the Tourism Department and officials have completely ignored Colva beach. When the beach is being visited by thousands of people from across the country, we cannot allow it to be infested with litter and waste,” Colva Sarpanch Menino Fernandes told The Goan.He pointed out that though the government-appointed beach-cleaning contractor is supposed to clean not just the beach, but the beach square and the coconut grove as well, the authorities have failed to impress upon the latter to do so.Menino said that the villagers will continue the initiative in the interest of the village, even though the beach square does not come under the jurisdiction of the Colva Panchayat.Panch member Calvert Gonsalves said, “The high-mast lighting at the beach square has not been functioning for days now. It is surprising that none of the authorities have deemed fit to get the lamps repaired,” he said, while taking a dig at the authorities for not replacing the sodium lamps with LED lights.The villagers action came after the local media highlighted the plight of the beach square.

Posted in Beaches of Goa | Leave a comment

Quality key to holistic growth of tourism

Posted on May 25, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Have stakeholders who matter, who make tourism run on the ground and who should be the actual  decision makers of this master plan even been consulted?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Quality-key-to-holistic-growth-of-tourism/articleshow/52424810.cms

It’s not final, but Goa’s cuisine, avi-tourism , agri-tourism and development of high quality coastal tourism infrastructure may find greater weightage in the tourism master plan under preparation. The committee for the tourism master plan has asked master planner M/s KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited to place greater emphasis on the above aspects while deliberating on module-II of the tourism master plan.

The committee has suggested that weddings be highlighted along with meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, and culinary tourism in the complementary tourism strategy.

Members felt that though Goa has emerged as a MICE hub, the absence of dedicated convention and exhibition centres in the State was seen as a hindrance to attracting large events to Goa.

A committee member said it is not easy to find authentic Goan cuisine opining that a rating system should be introduced for the same. Besides, this will help preserve the state’s culinary heritage, and travellers would learn what authentic Goan cuisine is all about, the member said.

While the focus of Goa tourism’s has been development of overall tourism infrastructure and facilities, committee members opined that emphasis has to be laid on quality of tourism and the same has to reflect in module-III of the tourism master plan.

The committee was of the opinion that old jetties along rivers could be used to develop nautical tourism.

Looking at health and wellness tourism, members felt that since a large number of tourists visited Goa to experience wellness tourism, that aspect too needed to be highlighted. With yoga gaining popularity it was felt that relaxation activities should be promoted. Also, tourism in the state should offer innovative short break packages to travellers they felt as the trend of taking short breaks was picking up.

Some members opined that Goa’s tourism, while adopting a holistic approach in promoting Goa, should also make an effort to lengthen travellers’ stay, increase spending per traveller, and encourage repeat visits. This will happen, members felt, only if emphasis was laid on quality rather than quantity.

The master planner has been asked to incorporate the committee’s suggestions while formulating module-III of the tourism master plan.

Posted in Alternative Tourism | Leave a comment

Bengal tourist dies after falling from parachute in Colva

Posted on May 25, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Strict action should be take on the operator . safety should never be compromised over profits!

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Bengal-tourist-dies-after-falling-from-parachute-in-Colva/articleshow/52424555.cms

In a tragic paragliding accident, Shashishekhar Prasad, 49, a resident of Kharangpur, Mindnapur district, West Bengal died after he fell from the chute. The incident, which appears to be gross neglect on the part of the adventure sports operator, took place at the Colva beach on Tuesday evening.

Sources informed that Prasad along with his wife and colleagues had come down to Goa for a business convention being held at a resort in Utorda.

On Tuesday evening, Prasad along with a group of friends visited the Colva beach where he decided to indulge in adventure sports and booked a paragliding joy trip.

Prasad was of a heavy build and the paragliding jacket did not fit him, but the paragliding operator managed to secure him to the parachute, sources said. After the ride, as the chute was descending, the hook of the jacket came off and Prasad fell into the choppy waters of the sea.

Lifeguards rushed to help Prasad and brought him to the shore. Attempts were made to resuscitate the unconscious Prasad before shifting him to the hospital.

Doctors at the Hospicio pronounced him brought dead.

The incident occurred at around 5 pm.

Colva police visited the site of the incident and conducted the panchanama. Police were yet to book an offence till late evening.

Posted in Reports | Leave a comment

BJP demands apology from Kejriwal for tourism comment

Posted on May 24, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Shows how out of touch Vinay Tendulkar president of the BJP really is on the reality of tourism in Goa

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/BJP-demands-apology-from-Kejriwal-for-tourism-comment/articleshow/52407783.cm

BJP on Monday demanded the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwalapologize to the people of state for saying that BJP and Congress have projected Goa as a tourist destination for “sex, drugs and gambling”. The BJP also challenged AAP to file a complaint before the Lokayukta against the corrupt people in the government and expose them.

Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters, state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar said that tourists are visiting Goa to enjoy the coastline, greenery, temples and churches. “Kejriwal tried to create a picture of Goa as if it is famous for drugs, casinos and sex. BJP condemns Kejriwal’s statement and he should apologize to the people of the state,” Tendulkar said.

He also said that if Kejriwal doesn’t apologize to the people, he should face the consequences.

On the Delhi CM’s statement that former Goa CM and defence minister Manohar Parrikar had betrayed the trust of the people, Tendulkar said Parrikar is in politics for 25 years and the people given him a mandate in 2012 to run the state.

Reacting to AAP’s charge that corruption had increased in the state, the BJP chief challenged AAP to file cases against the corrupt before the Lokayukta and expose them.

On Kejriwal’s claim that Goa is behind in health and education sectors, Tendulkar said that Goa Medical College and hospital and Goa Engineering College are ranked among the top 50 institutes in the country. He also said that NIT has already come to the state and IIT will follow. The BJP chief also said that Goa has received an award for doing well in the health sector.

Tendulkar said that AAP did not have a single panch and sarpanch in Goa and they are trying to contest all 40 assembly seats. “I challenge Kejriwal to save at least deposit in one assembly constituency,” he said and added that Kejriwal is ‘nautanki sarkar’.

Posted in News & Analysis | Leave a comment

Wildlifers are flipping out at record turtle hatchings

Posted on May 24, 2016 by crtgoa9020

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Wildlifers-are-flipping-out-at-record-turtle-hatchings/articleshow/52407814.cms

Olive Ridley turtles sprang a surprise this season, as they waded onto the four turtle nesting sites in Morjim, Agonda and Galgibaga more often than in the past few years.

Forest officials and wildlife enthusiasts could not contain their delight, as a maximum number of nesting of 13 was reported on the crowded Agonda beach, six on the more deserted Galgibaga beach and an equal number on Morjim beach. They shied away from Mandrem beach for a second consecutive year.

Turtle conservation was first pioneered in Morjim by NGOs and forest department officials in the mid-1990s.

“The number of nestings and hatchings this season, despite the visitors disturbance, on Agonda beach is a good sign,” said Cotigao wildlife sanctuary, range forest officer, Vishwanath Pingulkar.

The total number of eggs laid at Agonda was 1,208 (of 12 nests) while 1,009 hatchlings emerged. One nest is yet to hatch. In Galgibaga, 614 eggs were laid and 496 baby turtles crawled back to sea, yielding the best figures in three to four years. “This showed that the flippered visitors have found ways to brave hostile conditions,” an official said.

In Morjim, a total of 641 eggs were laid and 378 hatchlings emerged. The hatchlings usually emerge after sunset or before sunrise, out of fear of the scorchingly hot sand.

Posted in Environment | Leave a comment

Cleanliness at Colva beach is one big question mark

Posted on May 23, 2016 by crtgoa9020

http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=17609

The pathetic condition of the beach was evident by the fact that picnickers had no option than to sit in the coconut grove opposite the Colva Residency amid waste and litter all around the place. That the beach and the entire place were not cleaned for the last several days became evident as waste was seen lying all over the place.Men, women and children who spent their time at the coconut grove, demanded to know why the authorities have turned a blind eye to the waste collection when the beach is attracting thousands of visitors every day during the summer vacation.Opposition MLAs Vijai Sardesai and Reginaldo Lourenco, who saw for themselves the pathetic state of affairs at the beach during their visit to extend support to the striking life guards, said the entire place stinks of waste. “Is this the Colva beach or a slum? Where have the authorities gone? Is the Colva beach not coming under the beach cleaning contractor?” Vijai sought to ask, while demanding immediate action from the government machinery to clean up the entire area.Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco echoed similar sentiments. He said the local panchayat body should at least intervene since the waste and litter affect the visitors to the beach. “I know it is the government s job to keep the beach clean. But given the condition of the beach, I feel the local panchayat body or the local populace should step in to stem the rot. The place has turned into a health hazard for the visitors and tourists alike,” Reginaldo added. – See more at: http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=17609#sthash.daTH9B4L.dpuf

Posted in Beaches of Goa | Leave a comment