FRANKLY FRANK: Hidden cost of Goa's high-value tourism

For decades, tourism and agriculture have coexisted in Goa enriching the State's economy and adding value to its identity. Local farmers went about their business of growing food, and tourists enjoyed the State's natural beauty and its susegad nature.  

However, in the last decade or so, this delicate balance between agriculture and tourism has been badly hit by the kind of infrastructure development we witness in the name of tourism and public interest.  

Development is welcome, but one needs to see for whom it is and the cost that comes with it.  

While the government makes tall claims of promoting agriculture, the ground reality does not match the spoken word. Or else, take the case of the new casino township in Dhargal, North Goa, that will swallow over three lakh square metres of land for development. 

The project has managed to get some, or one could say most clearances. Two five-star hotels, a park, and a multiplex are some of the facilities that have been envisaged within this massive area. In other words, it will be a high-end gaming destination that will bring in moneyed tourists. 

Two five-star hotels, a park, water sports activities and a multiplex are some of the facilities that have been envisaged within this massive area.

The site earmarked for the casino township was initially the command area of the Tillari Irrigation Project, an initiative originally intended to benefit farmers and promote agriculture in the region. 

Ironically, this same government that pays lip service to promoting agriculture has denotified this fertile land to hand it over for this private venture catering to elite tourists and high-rolling gamblers. 

This is just an example of where our priorities lie, and there appears to be a serious problem in the government's policy and decision-making. 

Several questions come to mind at this juncture: Can the pursuit of high-value tourism override the needs of local communities and farmers? Can this project be branded as sustainable when it poses a significant threat to the biodiversity of the region? 

It also appears that the project of such a massive scale will displace agriculture with tourism. Just for argument's sake, if the government says that there is no cultivation in the area, does that mean loss of should be permitted? It's a known fact that when trees are chopped down and land is flattened, the balance of nature gets altered.  

If the local representative has raised his voice, then it is a good and positive sign, but if it was just a token protest, then the people will have to hold him to his words.

Even without active farming, the greenery nurtures birds, plants, and insects that are vital to the natural ecosystem. Biodiversity helps maintain a healthy environment and sustains life in ways we often overlook. That’s why the land holds immense value, even beyond agriculture. 

The local representative is surely aware of the project, and as such, he is duty-bound to raise questions on the implications of such massive land conversion. If he has raised his voice, then it is a good and positive sign, but if it was just a token protest, then the will have to hold him to his words. 

In its grandiose plans of 'Ekadasha Teertha' to promote in the State, the government has referred to Goa as Dakshin Kashi, while at the same time, the dice have been rolled for this massive casino project in Dhargal. These two narratives are at diametrically opposite ends of the scale. 

Again, one may argue that casino tourism and spiritual tourism can co-exist, each catering to a different set of visitors. It's true that many global destinations are managing leisure and faith-based tourism.

The government has referred to Goa as Dakshin Kashi, while at the same time, the dice has been rolled for this massive casino project in Dhargal.

However, the question in Goa is not about the coexistence of these two, but about Goan identity. The government and tourism stakeholders need to enter into a dialogue, and there is little doubt that the people of Goa need to be part of this discourse.