Locals, 'outsiders' battle for tourism pie

MANDERM: With Pernem bracing up for the new tourism season, the presence of lamanis, Kashmiris, Tibetans, Nepalese, as well as Iranis along the Arambol and Morjim beaches has begun to haunt local shopkeepers as well as shack owners.
They have set up stalls along the main road of Arambol beach leading towards the Vagkolam lake as well as Temb-Morjim beach causing hindrance to vehicular traffic, said villagers.
"They sell clothes, embroidery, jewellery, trinkets, etc," said shack owner Suhas Prabhu. The villagers of Arambol and affected shopkeepers have urged authorities to undertake a periodical check against these people.
Jagannath Barde, a shop keeper, blamed the panchayat for giving NOCs to outsiders to set up stalls and shops along the beaches of Arambol and Morjim. "How can the panchayat give NOC to the outsiders to start business along the beaches," he said.
Reacting to this, Arambol sarpanch Suchana Gadekar claimed that the panchayat had not given NOC to outsiders, adding that the outsiders have set up their stalls in private properties belonging to the locals.
"The Arambol panchayat had undertaken a periodical check last year against the lamanis and Kashmiris loitering on the beach and their business activities along the beach side," said Pradeep Naik, ex-sarpanch and acting member of Arambol panchayat. "This time too, we will undertake periodical checks against the outsiders," he added.
The Morjim Youth Asociation has also decided to keep a strict vigil on lamanis causing a nuisance to tourists.
Pernem deputy collector Ajit Panchawadkar said he had visited the sites and admitted that a number of illegal stalls as well as shacks were erected along the beaches of Arambol and Morjim. He, however, pointed out that Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority should initiate action against illegal activities carried out along the beaches of Pernem.