Calangute (Goa):  In a major relief, the beach as well as private shack owners can now retain their temporary seasonal structures even during off-tourism season, provided they are not under operation from June to August.

The Union Ministry for Environment and Forest Ministry (MoEF) has issued the notification in this regard by amending the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification issued in 2011.The decision has granted nearly 2000 structures permanent status.

Shacks, in the private properties, are presently permitted to be erected in October-November and are dismantled by May 31, before the rough weather and turbulent seas of the monsoon months of June to September begin.

The notification has said that “the structures shall not be removed or dismantled during the month of June to August”.

“Provided that the facilities provided in these structures shall remain non-operational during the month of June to August,” the notification reads.

Owing to heavy expenditure on construction and later dismantling of these temporary structures, the All Goa Private Shacks and Huts Association and Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo had approached Union Ministry seeking relaxation somewhere in 2015. Accordingly in April 2016, MoEF issued draft notification granting permission for the same.

The BJP-led government, soon after coming to power had constituted a House Committee headed by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, to study the 2011 CRZ notification and accordingly seek necessary amendment in regards to private shacks.

“We welcome the decision of the Union Ministry. It is a great relief to the shack operators. It was our long pending demand. So from this year onwards, the structures would continue to remain,” Lobo told TNV.

Team TNV