Latest news with #KedarNaik
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Tourism dept seeks action over illegal sand extraction at Varca
Panaji: The tourism department took serious note of unauthorised sand extraction and alteration of natural dunes using an excavator along Varca beach. Tourism director Kedar Naik stated that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Colva police have been instructed to initiate legal action against those who extracted sand from the beach. The tourism department forwarded the video from Wednesday to the GCZMA and police, which shows an excavator moving sand on Varca beach, violating the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) notification issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act, 2001. 'The department took serious cognisance of a recent incident involving illegal activities along the Varca beach stretch, which is a clear violation of environmental norms. Any activity detrimental to the environment, especially in sensitive coastal zones, will not be tolerated. Strict action will be pursued in accordance with the law,' said Naik.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business Standard
Beyond beaches: Goa to promote temple visits under spiritual tourism drive
The Goa government is planning to provide a spiritual experience to visitors, away from the beaches, by promoting a pilgrimage circuit comprising 11 iconic temples in the state, officials said on Tuesday. These temples will be the highlight of the Goa Tourism's 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' campaign, they said. A meeting was held on Monday with representatives of all the 11 temples to discuss promotion of the pilgrimage circuit and resolve any coordination-related issues, Goa Tourism Director Kedar Naik told PTI. The 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' will cover the 11 temples representing Goa's rich spiritual legacy. These include Sri Manguesh Temple in Mangeshi (North Goa), Sri Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol (North Goa), Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla (South Goa) and Sri Shantadurga Temple in Fatorpa (South Goa). As part of the pilgrimage circuit, tourists will be taken around four temples in a day, covering the entire journey in two-three days, Naik said. The visitors will also be taken to other tourist attractions nearby, providing them a holistic travel experience, he said. Naik said the committee members of the temples have welcomed the initiative and expressed support for its successful implementation. "They also provided valuable inputs to ensure that the spiritual sanctity of each temple is maintained while hosting tourists," he said. Naik said that 'Ekadasha Teertha' is not just a tourism product, it is a "journey of spiritual immersion, local engagement and cultural preservation". "We are grateful to the temple committees for their wholehearted support and valuable inputs, which will help us co-create a meaningful and respectful experience for all visitors," he added. The committees emphasised the importance of formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the visitors. They also recommended that tourist itineraries be planned carefully during temple festivals and utsavs, he said. Parking and traffic management emerged as another key concern, particularly when buses and large vehicles carrying tourists arrive at temple sites. The temple committees urged the tourism department to consider site-specific solutions to ensure smooth visitor movement and avoid congestion, Naik said. The Department of Tourism assured continued collaboration with all stakeholders to refine the yatra plan and uphold the core values of Goa's cultural and spiritual heritage, he said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Goa to start new temple tour to draw tourists, promote spirituality
The Goa government is planning to provide a spiritual experience to visitors, away from the beaches, by promoting a pilgrimage circuit comprising 11 iconic temples in the state, officials said on Tuesday. These temples will be the highlight of the Goa Tourism's 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' campaign, they said. A meeting was held on Monday with representatives of all the 11 temples to discuss promotion of the pilgrimage circuit and resolve any coordination-related issues, Goa Tourism Director Kedar Naik told PTI. The 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' will cover the 11 temples representing Goa's rich spiritual legacy. These include Sri Manguesh Temple in Mangeshi (North Goa), Sri Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol (North Goa), Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla (South Goa) and Sri Shantadurga Temple in Fatorpa (South Goa). As part of the pilgrimage circuit, tourists will be taken around four temples in a day, covering the entire journey in two-three days, Naik said. The visitors will also be taken to other tourist attractions nearby, providing them a holistic travel experience, he said. Also read: Use Goa's elaborate road infrastructure to attract more tourists: Nitin Gadkari Naik said the committee members of the temples have welcomed the initiative and expressed support for its successful implementation. "They also provided valuable inputs to ensure that the spiritual sanctity of each temple is maintained while hosting tourists," he said. Naik said that 'Ekadasha Teertha' is not just a tourism product, it is a "journey of spiritual immersion, local engagement and cultural preservation". "We are grateful to the temple committees for their wholehearted support and valuable inputs, which will help us co-create a meaningful and respectful experience for all visitors," he added. The committees emphasised the importance of formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the visitors. They also recommended that tourist itineraries be planned carefully during temple festivals and utsavs, he said. Parking and traffic management emerged as another key concern, particularly when buses and large vehicles carrying tourists arrive at temple sites. The temple committees urged the tourism department to consider site-specific solutions to ensure smooth visitor movement and avoid congestion, Naik said. The Department of Tourism assured continued collaboration with all stakeholders to refine the yatra plan and uphold the core values of Goa's cultural and spiritual heritage, he said.
The Print
4 days ago
- The Print
Beyond beaches: Goa to promote temple visits under spiritual tourism drive
A meeting was held on Monday with representatives of all the 11 temples to discuss promotion of the pilgrimage circuit and resolve any coordination-related issues, Goa Tourism Director Kedar Naik told PTI. These temples will be the highlight of the Goa Tourism's 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' campaign, they said. Panaji, Jun 17 (PTI) The Goa government is planning to provide a spiritual experience to visitors, away from the beaches, by promoting a pilgrimage circuit comprising 11 iconic temples in the state, officials said on Tuesday. The 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' will cover the 11 temples representing Goa's rich spiritual legacy. These include Sri Manguesh Temple in Mangeshi (North Goa), Sri Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol (North Goa), Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla (South Goa) and Sri Shantadurga Temple in Fatorpa (South Goa). As part of the pilgrimage circuit, tourists will be taken around four temples in a day, covering the entire journey in two-three days, Naik said. The visitors will also be taken to other tourist attractions nearby, providing them a holistic travel experience, he said. Naik said the committee members of the temples have welcomed the initiative and expressed support for its successful implementation. 'They also provided valuable inputs to ensure that the spiritual sanctity of each temple is maintained while hosting tourists,' he said. Naik said that 'Ekadasha Teertha' is not just a tourism product, it is a 'journey of spiritual immersion, local engagement and cultural preservation'. 'We are grateful to the temple committees for their wholehearted support and valuable inputs, which will help us co-create a meaningful and respectful experience for all visitors,' he added. The committees emphasised the importance of formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the visitors. They also recommended that tourist itineraries be planned carefully during temple festivals and utsavs, he said. Parking and traffic management emerged as another key concern, particularly when buses and large vehicles carrying tourists arrive at temple sites. The temple committees urged the tourism department to consider site-specific solutions to ensure smooth visitor movement and avoid congestion, Naik said. The Department of Tourism assured continued collaboration with all stakeholders to refine the yatra plan and uphold the core values of Goa's cultural and spiritual heritage, he said. PTI RPS GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Time of India
Calangute hotel's registration cancelled after minors' rape
Calangute: The tourism department on Friday issued a notice directing the immediate cancellation of the registration of the hotel at Calangute, where three minor girls were raped on the weekend. After the crime was reported, the hotel owner and receptionist were arrested. Tourism director Kedar Naik has directed the project manager of the registration facilitation centre to proceed with the cancellation of the hotel registration with immediate effect. Police had written to the tourism department to cancel the registration of the hotel, which had been listed as a 'Category C' establishment by the tourism department. 'Any violation, especially one that endangers the safety of women and children, will be dealt with firmly and without delay,' Naik said. Calangute panchayat also discovered that the hotel had not obtained a licence from it, and so has sealed it. Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said that after the incident, it was discovered that the premises had been given on lease by a local owner to Rajat Chauhan. 'The actual owner is a Goan. How do we know they've sub-let? As owners, it is their responsibility to look at what's going on. The Calangute police sealed the premises on Thursday evening. On Friday, the panchayat conducted a panchanama and also sealed the premises. We found that the trade licence of this hotel had not been renewed, so we have shut it down. The same person is also operating two other hotels and we will take action against them also, if needed,' Sequeira said. Replying to queries about the illegal activities going on in hotels at Calangute-Baga, Sequeira said whenever the panchayat is aware of illegalities, it takes action. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
