Not possible to defer Seafood Fest: Govt tells HC

The State government informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it is practically not possible to defer the Seafood Festival to be held at Miramar beach between February 9 and 12.

The High Court has adjourned hearing in the case for Thursday. Some residents of Panaji and the surrounding areas have approached the High Court challenging the state government’s decision to hold the three-day Goa Seafood Festival on Miramar beach, stating that the festival could lead to destruction of ecology. The decision of the director of tourism to hold the festival on Miramar beach has been challenged, with the petition saying that a Government of Goa policy bans food festivals on all beaches of the state. The petition states, “In the event the seafood festival is organised on Miramar beach, there will be large-scale destruction of ecology due to the loud music that will be played, stalls erected on the beach, garbage generated from waste food, plastic and glass bottles, plates etc, the use of machinery, footfall, and the disturbance resulting therefrom.”

The petition has sought directions to shift the festival away from the beach. The petition has also sought directions to the commissioner, the Corporation of the City of Panaji, not to give permission/licence to the department of tourism to hold the festival on Miramar beach.