CMC FIRMLY OPPOSES TO TURN KONKO ISLAND INTO A TOURIST SPOT

CANACONA: The Canacona Municipal Council (CMC), at its monthly meeting held recently, decided to oppose a proposal to turn Konko island at Palolem, Canacona, into a tourist spot.  Chairperson Ramakant Naik Gaonkar said that they received a letter from the tourism department suggesting plans to develop Konko island into an eco-tourist spot in order to attract tourist, as thousands of tourists visit Palolem beach every year.

Gaonkar, local councilors and residents have vowed not to allow any one to touch the island, which according to them protects their locality from natural disasters and from strong breeze/rain during the monsoon. Vowing to "strongly oppose developing the island", the group said that local business, too, would be affected.

Konko island boasts of coconut, mango and jackfruit trees and cashew groves. It also has a small house, now used by locals vendors to store their produce.