NGOs oppose eco-tourism projects
PTI, PANAJI | 29 December 2010 13:00 IST
In a significant move, around 35 NGOs joined hands in Goa planning massive agitation against Digamber Kamat led government’s plans to push in hotel projects under eco-tourism zone concept.
“The eco-tourism zones are carved out in such a way that they will benefit some hotel developers. It’s ample clear that eco tourism zones are created in the Regional plan in the spaces which are already purchased by hoteliers,” Yatish Naik, convenor, Pilerne Citizens Forum, told a press conference today.
Interestingly, NGOs which met in the city to chalk out awareness campaign over next two months against the Regional Plan 2021 also got a support of Goa Church.
The Church-led Council for Social Justice and Action has given its support for the moment, which has demanded that state government should notify regional plans in accordance with the suggestions given by the gramsabhas.
Naik claimed that the state government had executed several changes in the RP 2021 before it was notified so that the certain sections of people are benefited and Goa is destroyed forever.
“Goa Governor S S Sidhu is busy singing carols (for Christmas) and Kamat is busy playing flute (while inaugurating handicraft fair).
People of Goa are on the streets demanding to save the state from destruction,” he said.
The NGOs have decided to hold state-wide meetings to make people aware about the RP2021 which will culminate into the state level agitation in February, next year.
Yatish, as it is, you are doing a commendable job of making people aware, of what drastic changes they are letting in to the RP21. Whilst we should not throw the entire Plan out, because it took time to get this far and many good people worked for it. If we do then they are also hoping that would happen since they can continue with their evil designs via RP 2001. It was kind nof suspicious, before details came out, that some people began celebrating the finalised RP21. It's not that simple-vested interests will not let go that easy-. Let's be wary, watch out every move. So-called eco-tourism is not what we want. It's a drain on our resources. I for one, am in total support of NGOS' moves, under one banner.
Who are the beneficiaries of the eco- tourism? How did this new concept come in the regional plan? Has this been done at the recommendations of the village panchayats or some fake demands masterminded by the agents of the land mafia?
Nice to see Goa not lagging behind the rest of the country in manipulating the system for selfish motives..........