Goa's popular beach weddings might soon become a thing of the past with a government-funded environment agency recommending a ban on such functions being held in ecologically sensitive zones in the state.
A report, submitted by National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) to the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), has made several recommendations regarding lavish beach weddings held across Goa's coastline, a senior State Environment Ministry official said.
Besides recommending a ban on weddings in ecologically sensitive areas, NCSCM has also put a cap that such events should not be held for more than three days, the officer said. The report will soon be made public.
In the past few years, Goa has increasingly become a preferred destination for holding lavish beach weddings, which at times run for over a week.
According to the report, over 800 high-end weddings are being organised in Goa annually, mostly in four- and five-star properties located along the coastline.
While directing the organisers to ensure that there is no damage inflicted on the vegetation of the area such as creepers and other flora, NCSCM has said that the stage set up for such weddings should be done without the use of cement, concrete or permanent material.
Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and the tourism department have been asked to deny or withdraw the permissions granted to organisers of such weddings, if they are found to be violating the norms.
(With inputs from PTI)
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