It plans to demolish fishermen’s houses; it will only stop locals from accessing and using the beach, he says
We will not allow any contractor to put markings on the beach. Milind Naik must clarify his stand on this project – GPCC Vice President Sankalp Amonkar.
Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: GPCC Vice President Sankalp Amonkar on Tuesday said that the
Blue flag certification for Baina beach is just another attempt by the BJP Government to privatize the beach and demolish fishermen houses. Amonkar, in a press conference, said that blue flag certification will only stop locals from accessing and using the beach as the entire beach will be fenced.
Amonkar said that Congress, fishermen, and local residents will oppose the blue flag certification of Baina beach and not allow any contractor to put markings on the beach.
“BJP is continuously bringing in the anti-people project against the people’s wishes, and now they have got a new project called a blue flag certification for Baina beach. BJP has identified 5 beaches in Goa for blue flag certification, and people are unaware of the blue flag certification. Under the blue flag certification,
A company from Denmark wants to get Indian beaches under blue flag certification, and they have already appointed a consultant from Chennai. The blue flag certification will restrict locals on the beach, and it will be on par with Jumeirah beach in Dubai, where people have to pay to enter the beach.” said Amonkar.
“BJP has already tendered blue flag certification at Baina beach, and this means that no one will be able to access the beach without payment, and he will have to pay even if he wants to have a bath at the beach. The people will have to pay for all the amenities inside the beach, including food outlets, and people will be charged even for parking near the beach. The entire beach will be handed over to a contractor, and locals will be restricted to enter the beach. Baina beach will be fenced, and all locals will be banned from entering inside, and a contractor will be appointed who will collect money from us to take up the maintenance of the beach,” said Amonkar.
Amonkar said that the blue flag will cause 33 changes to match the criteria, and the beach will change in 33 different ways, including a change of sand and the colour of seawater.
“The main clause is that the blue flag certification will be exempted from CRZ, and they will be able to take up development in a minimum of 10 meters from the High tide line.
The Traditional fishermen will be displaced, and the fishermen will not be allowed to get their canoes on the beach. All the traditional fishermen houses will also be demolished. ” said Amonkar.
Amonkar said that Urban Development Minister Milind Naik was silent on the issue while he was at the forefront of demolishing houses in the area and demanded Naik clarify his stand whether he was with the people or with the Government.
“Blue flag certification will also put an end to Ganesh Chaturthi visarjan on the beach, and all religious structures like temples on the beach will have to be demolished. Local businessmen and small vendors on the beach will have to be displaced, and even the lifeguards will have to be removed from the beach, and the two shacks allowed on the beach will have to be removed. Baina also has a sewerage plant just next to the Baina beach, and it caters to the entire area, and this plant will have to be removed, and it will collapse the sewerage system,” said Amonkar.
“BJP is playing the fool with us and has taken the other way round route of privatization of the beach under the name of blue flag certification. Due to this project, people will face maximum inconvenience and losses, and we feel that this is only a pretext to demolish all the houses in ward no 7, 8 and 9. We want to request the MMC and represent the authorities not to bring the Baina beach under the blue flag certification,” he said.