Centre for Responsible Tourism, Goa

Russian quizzed for ‘illegal’ work as ‘guide’, locals say there are more

Posted on February 24, 2017 by crtgoa9020

The authorities should fine such illegal reps and tour guides with very heavy fines and even deport them if necessary. These people come and deprive the locals of their daily bread earnings.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/russian-quizzed-for-illegal-work-as-guide-locals-say-there-are-more/articleshow/57320382.cms

The tourist police cell of Goa police on Wednesday apprehended a Russian national in connection with allegedly illegally escorting tourists to Dudhsagar waterfalls, without a valid work visa. Tourist department officials say he assured them he had the required documents and produced some on Thursday, while promising to return with more on Friday.

Locals claimed that there are more such ‘guides’, but police ignored their advice on how to go about nabbing them, and as a result, managed to apprehend only one ‘guide’. They said that among the nine buses that they stopped, the foreigners acting as ‘guides’ mixed with the tourists and were not traceable, while five other buses escaped through another route.

Repeated complaints have been filed, along with photographic and video evidence, to the police inspector, Collem police station, director general of police, Panaji, director of tourism, president of the travel and tourism association of Goa, president of tourist guides federation of India (Goa Chapter), for more than a year now, regarding foreigners involved in illegal activities, including being a tourist guide, an escort or translators for tourists at Dudhsagar waterfalls, without valid work visas, sources said.

In his most recent complaint last month, John Barreto, proprietor of Passive Active Tourism, said that ten months have passed since his last complaint, but the illegal activity still continues within the jurisdiction of Colem police station, other parts of Goa and its neighbouring states.

His complaint goes on to state that some of the foreigners are also involved in illegal business of selling excursions on the beaches of Goa, without paying any government taxes. ” Business visa does not permit a foreigner to undertake outdoor jobs such as working as guides/escorts/translator/interpreter, only a work visa does, ” he said in his complaint, adding that from mid-October 2016 till November 2016, locals have video recorded and photographed 38 foreigners acting as guides or escorts or translators and interpretors who don’t have employment or work visas.

In his RTI application to the sub-division police officer at Ponda, last month, Barreto requested to know why no arrests were made in Colem till date, despite “spoon feeding (his) department with evidence”.

“The information sought is not covered under Section 2 (f) of the RTI Act 2005,” was the reply he received. Barreto said he would file a contempt petition in the high court of Bombay at Goa.

Posted in Reports | Leave a comment

Drishti , police tie up to ensure safety on beaches

Posted on February 24, 2017 by crtgoa9020

An Alert life guard on the beach will definitely be a boon and help apprehend crimes that happen on the beach.

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Posted in Beaches of Goa | Leave a comment

Tourists do not come to Goa only for liquor – tourism department

Posted on February 22, 2017 by crtgoa9020

It is a well known fact that many tourists come to Goa because of the cheap and easy availability of alcohol . The Tourism department is really on another wave length when it comes to ground realities .

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Dy.Collector asked to look into tenancy free certificates

Posted on February 22, 2017 by crtgoa9020

Lets hope the wait for the verdict is worth it

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Posted in The Leading Hotels of the World LHW Tiracol Goa India | Leave a comment

Helipad, other illegalities in CRZ costs builder Rs 5cr

Posted on February 21, 2017 by crtgoa9020

Hopefully similar violations will face the axe under the NGT

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/helipad-other-illegalities-in-crz-costs-builder-rs-5cr/articleshow/57261073.cms

A hotel/resort owner involved in alleged illegalities, including construction of a helipad in CRZ area near the Chapora fort, a protected monument, has deposited Rs 5 crore with the state government for restoration and restitution work.

A complaint was filed by Sagardeep Shirsaikar against Diana Buildwell Ltd.

The developer has paid the amount, following an order of National Green Tribunal (NGT) dated November 3, 2016. The tribunal had directed the respondent to demolish, within eight weeks, illegal structures on the slope near the fort, which is a popular spot for tourists and film producers.

When Shirsaikar, the applicant, recently filed a plea for execution of the order of November 3, 2016, the government informed the tribunal on February 16 that the hotel owner has also deposited Rs 10 lakh with the North Goa collector towards coastal protection and sanitation facilities in coastal areas, respectively.

Shirsaikar alleged that illegal structures had not been removed.

The bench in its judgment last year had observed that the hotelier had carried out several developments and constructions in a no-development zone, in blatant violation of the CRZ notification and there was no regulatory enforcement by the GCZMA.

“Violations are also observed in CRZ-I area by construction of road, access and fencing. The CRZ Notification is aimed to conserve the pristine coastal environment,” the bench had noted.It had also noted that these actions in carrying out development in NDZ area, particularly rain water harvesting, helipad andstepped access, need to be seriously looked into.

Regarding the tribunal order to appoint an expert committee with a representative of bio-diversity board to assess the damage caused to the environment by unauthorized and illegal construction of helipad, stepped access, the bench was informed that the process has been initiated to do it and prepare a plan for its restoration and draw up tentative costs for it.

The tribunal was also informed that the case of the hotelier for reconstruction will be sent to MoEFCC for appropriate decision regarding CRZ clearance, within a week.

While the matter has been listed again on March 17, the bench held on February 17 that the joint inspection should be held by all parties to throw light on the compliance of orders passed by it.

The applicant had challenged the beach side resort alleging violations of the provisions of CRZ, 2011, after noticing hill cutting activities near the base of the Chapora fort hill, construction of road and helipad near the heritage site.

The archaeology department had also noted the illegal construction.

Posted in Environment | Leave a comment

Pernem’s beaches no longer peaceful