The government keeps working on the new ideas and plans to create broader tourism structure in Goa. The initiative of the ecotourism promotion on the green zone is perhaps the new idea for giving the boost to the diminishing tourism in Goa. According to the news published by the local daily, in a way to give major boost to eco-tourism in the state, the cabinet has given the approval to an ordinance that will amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Town and Country Planning Act 1974, which allow the construction of eco-friendly resorts in the eco-friendly zones around the sanctuaries and national parks.
This new ordinance will be termed as the Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015. The ordinance will be forwarded to the Goa governor, Mridula Sinha for her approval. According to the sources, the ordinance of “Eco / Agro Friendly Projects and or Resorts will allow only the single-storeyed structures of purely temporary in nature that can be built in the eco-sensitive zones, the construction material used in the making of such structures should be made up of eco-friendly materials only, such as Wood, particle boards or clothes for the living of tourists in the form of Camping sites, huts, tents and cottages. The structure build with such material can also accommodate the restaurants and other allied amenities.
The Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has also specified that the eco or agro-friendly projects and or resorts can be setup in eco-friendly zone only which is not extendable beyond the 5% of the total land area, which is not forest land and cannot be less than 2 hectares. He also gave the green signal to those who are desirous to setup such resorts may apply to the planning and development authority in case the land is in planning area or chief town planner in case the land is in no planning area for the permission grants.
According to the sources, the process will start with the planning and development authority or chief town planner after the receipt of an application, the same will be scrutinized and if found to be valid, then the same will be forwarded to the town and country planning board for the recommendation and finally to the government for the approval. Once it is approved by the government, minimum three years permission will be granted to the application which is extendable for the period, which is not exceeding beyond three years. In case of the failure of making the application before the expiry period specified in the agreement, the fresh application will be required to make along with the applicable fees.
According to the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, this will help in boosting the hinterland tourism from the sand to the sea and this will also generate employment for the locals. It may be recalled that in the month of March this year, the chief minister in the budget session had assured to launch and eco-tourism initiative whereby the construction of the tents and huts will be permitted without the conversion of the land provided that such projects comes under the norms and which did not exceed 5% of the total land and subject to minimum of 2 hectares of land available for such activities.
The new development will bring many new investors into Goa, Maybe the locals as well as the outsiders. This will boost the tourism activities in Goa. The tourism which was limited to the sea and sand will now reach into the dense jungles of Goa. The new development will pull more local tourist to the state which will help to create more monsoon packages for the Indian tourist coming into the state. This will also raise the value of the jungle land which may be seen skyrocketing soon just like beach properties. The new developments are waiting to embrace Goa into their arms and may be the new investors too? Please do not forget to leave your valuable comments and suggestions on this issue.
Source: Various Sources
Edited by Goa Prism News Desk
