Row Over Construction of Wall at Goa’s Vainguinim Beach
Here’s what YOU can do for Vainguinim beach:
1) Sign the petition.
https://www.change.org/p/goa-coastal-zone-management-authority-save-vainguinim-beach
2) Spread Awareness about the topic.
Check out our below video and spread it around
Let’s imagine our beautiful scenic beaches, but, with a huge concrete wall right down the middle. This is literally the reality at Vainguinim Beach.
For those of you who haven’t been to Vainguinim beach, it’s a small beach nestled in a quiet valley of Dona Paula. But now this lovely beach has been spoilt by a long concrete wall going more than halfway across the beach, illegally constructed by a hotel on the beachfront
The resort claimed that they built this wall to stop erosion on the beach and protect the environment.
Is what they have done right and legal?
Absolutely not.
According to laws, concrete structures are not allowed on the beach, within the Intertidal Zone, as this is a highly ecologically sensitive area.
The hotel was originally given permission by GCZMA (Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority) to only carry out necessary repairs of the existing walls, with eco-friendly material, back in 2017.
However, this wall, which today is approx. 300mts in length, 40cm in thickness, and 1mt high is new work and not repairs. It has been constructed using concrete which is not eco-friendly material.
The hotel did not take permission from the panchayat to build this wall on public property.
After local authorities were informed about the illegal construction and formal complaints were made, GCZMA conducted a site inspection and asked the hotel to remove the wall, due to the many violations.
However, the construction was carried out for about a month after the order was given and is now almost complete.
But the more worrying question is,
How many more beaches will get ruined as the Govt. turns a blind eye?
Today it is Vainguinim, tomorrow it could be a beach close to your heart.
It’s time we Goans come together to put nature above our greed.