Panaji, Jan 24 (PTI) A dozen Goa Youth Congress leaders and workers Thursday buried themselves till neck deep in the sand at Miramar beach near here to protest against the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2018.

The Congress was protesting against the notification which has curtailed the `no development zone' line to 50 metres.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar led the protest along with Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.

A dozen Goa Pradesh Youth Congress Committee leaders led by its President Varad Mardolkar buried themselves till neck deep in the sand as a mark of protest.

Talking to reporters during the protest, Chodankar dubbed the CRZ notification as a "government-sponsored destruction of the environment."

"Globally, it is the duty of respective governments to protect the environment. But the Indian government is working otherwise. They are working to destroy the environment," he alleged.

The Congress leader said the CRZ notification will spell doom for the tourism industry besides affecting the marine life and fishing community.

Chodankar termed the notification as a "regressive step" and biggest jolt to the environment".

He feared the beaches would be sold out to the rich and wealthy people while traditional inhabitants and locals will not have access to them.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)