Rejoice As Beach Shacks Return In Goa, Court Finds No Adverse Effect On Environment From Them

In a major relief to the hundreds of vendors and the tourism industry in Goa ahead of the annual season, the court has allowed the setting up of temporary shacks along the beaches there.

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday allowed the state government to start the formal process of allotment of beach shacks.

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The court has also allowed the government to implement its shack policy 2019-2022 after it noted that shacks have existed in the state for decades and there was no evidence of adverse impact on the environment on account of these structures, which are erected with eco-friendly material.

There is no evidence of adverse impact on the environment on account of the shacks,¡± the bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Sonak noted.

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The National Green Tribunal had on September 13 ordered a stay on the shack policy until the government finalized its Coastal Zone Management plan.

"We permit the state to implement the shack policy 2019-22. We would request the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to finalize for the state of Goa the Coastal Zone Management Plan as soon as possible and preferably by the date specified by the NGT," the HC said.

It also noted that the ban on beach shacks will have an impact on the large employment generated in the state during the tourist season.

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According to reports, licenses for 259 shacks along the beaches in North Goa and 105 beach shacks in South Goa are up for grabs and they will be allotted by a draw system on October 22.

The beaches of Goa are one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country and every year the coastal state sees a footfall of 50-60 lakh visitors from India and across the world.

The peak tourist season in Goa is between November to February.