Latest news with #DixonVaz
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Address local issues before initiating new developments at Colva beach'
Colva: The Small and Medium Hotels Association has urged govt to address the long-standing issues faced by local businesses and the fishing community before initiating any new development projects at Colva beach. 'Colva beach, once known for its pristine charm that attracted people from all corners of Salcete, now lies in a state of neglect. This has led to a sharp decline in foreign tourist arrivals, particularly among the hippie crowd that once put Goa on the global tourism map,' Small and Medium Hotels Association vice president Dixon Vaz. Vaz, who is also Cavelossim sarpanch, said govt's recent announcement to develop Colva beach under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme must be preceded by consultations with local stakeholders. He said the local fishing community's concerns — especially regarding spaces for unloading and drying their daily catch — must be resolved first, with permanent solutions. He said govt should discuss the proposed developmental plans with key stakeholders, including restaurant and shack owners, taxi drivers, water sports operators, the public and the local panchayat. Vaz said he will also request the chief minister and the tourism minister to look into their grievances before proceeding with development initiatives.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Cavelossim fisherfolk's houses must be protected'
Margao: The Cavelossim gram sabha held on Sunday largely discussed fishermen's issues, particularly the houses affected by the CRZ regulations. 'Mobor-Cavelossim is a village of fishermen and toddy-tappers. The houses of these people and their livelihoods need to be protected,' said Dixon Vaz, sarpanch of Cavelossim. Speaking to reporters after the gram sabha, Vaz said, 'The fishermen and toddy-tappers are the original inhabitants of the village. If others can build houses in the village, why can't these people living along the coast be allowed to repair or build houses? I will take up the issue with those concerned and ensure they get permission to repair or build houses, and even cast a slab. They can't be replaced.' The issue of water hyacinth in river Sal in the village also dominated the proceedings of the gram sabha. 'The water hyacinth invasion occurs primarily due to the release of raw sewage into the Sal at Sirvodem, Navelim, and Khareband,' Vaz said, adding that he would soon write to the district collector to convene a meeting of all the panchayats and municipal bodies along the Sal, as well as the MLAs concerned, to thrash out a solution to the disaster. The annual budget of the panchayat was also presented at the gram sabha.
