Goa’s Calangute Village and beach is under the spotlight again and this time tourists are to be blamed. Given the massive influx of visitors to this hotspot each year, what with the ‘off season in Goa’ no longer that predominant, the village panchayat is worried, and not without reason. One of the hottest party spots in Goa, tourists have been coming by the hundreds and not cleaning up after themselves and littering the place.
Given that Goa has been taking its tourism business quite seriously in the past year or so, focusing on the environmental impact because of tourists and making an effort to regularise footfall, it was about time that steps were taken to ensure that people don’t over do it.
Less than a week ago, Joseph Sequeira, the Calangute sarpanch, said that the village panchayat of north Goa would hold a meeting which eventually led to the decision that tourists would either have to show proof of hotel reservation or pay tax for entry into its limits.
"The panchayat would adopt the resolution and forward it to the district collector in Panaji for further action. Once approved, its implementation will happen from the next tourist season (starting in October)," he said, adding that the decision to impose entry tax was taken in order to maintain cleanliness and decency and reduce the traffic issues faced by the local residents, Sequeira said in a statement.
This step came close to the heels of the 62nd anniversary for the Liberation of Goa where the State also took a step closer to the conservation of the environment. Announced by Rohan Khaunte, the minister of tourism for the State, the new initiative towards regenerative tourism will not only promote environmental restoration but also cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
Aligning itself to the values and aspirations of the famous Manila Declaration of World Tourism of 1980 and the more recent G20 tourism ministers working group meet in Goa that came up with the Goa roadmap for tourism as a vehicle for achieving the sustainable development goals, the department of tourism in Goa promises to transform the state into a model for regenerative tourism in India.
Addressing concerns about environmental issues, habitat destruction, and waste generation, this path emphasises community-centric, eco-friendly initiatives, responsible tourism practices, and sustainable infrastructure.