Goa tightens rules; private shacks in CRZ now need to register with tourism department

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The Goa assembly has passed an amendment bill making it mandatory for shacks operating on private land within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) to register with the state tourism department.

The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to bring such unregistered shacks under a regulatory framework and ensure compliance with prescribed safety and other requirements.

Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte moved the bill in the assembly on the last day of the monsoon session on Wednesday, and it was passed by voice vote.

Beach shacks are a major tourist attraction and play an important role in Goa's tourism economy, he noted.

Khaunte said there are as many as 742 private shacks in CRZ areas, of which about 290 are currently registered with the tourism department, while nearly 450 are operating without registration.

"There have been instances where huts were put up in the name of shacks. The amendment is being done mainly to ensure that we promote private shacks in the right manner," he said.

The legislation also provides statutory support to the government''s Beach Shack Policy and enables licences for beach shacks to be granted for tourist seasons as notified under the policy.

It further provides for registration of temporary shacks on private property within CRZ areas, subject to approvals from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and the village panchayat or municipality concerned.

The bill also revises penalties for defaults in registration of tourist trade activities.

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