Public Beaches: the Chaos Continues

Public beaches can not be used to host private parties. This was indicated by the Ministry of Housing and Lands through a statement issued Sunday. This, after an article in the Express who had mentioned it a few days ago, grabbing beaches for private activities. Marquees for weddings or clubs that serve, among others, will not be tolerated.

Despite this prohibition, the activities continue on the most beautiful beaches, especially during this holiday season. No later than Tuesday, Eve, a great festival was celebrated on the public beach of Flic-en-Flac. The next day, handrails that were used for security had still not been removed, filled to the brim with garbage bags had not found a place in dumpsters.

However, the side of the ministry, a source says that the organizers did not have permission to hold such a party. The endorsement was given by the Beach Authority which, according to him, is trying to "bypass all our decisions" . Adding that "this is not the first time that the Beach Authority provides operation allowed on the beach without our consent." Something refutes Subhas Seeruthun, the Director General of the Beach Authority , indicating that they have, at any time, bypass the ministry. "We delivered permits under the Beach Act. Nothing is illegal, " he says.

A tour on the beaches on December 25, however confirmed that activities prohibited to the public are common, especially in small landscaped hastily homes that can cause fires, the smell of grilling that tickles the nostrils, hawkers with all their cargo, fastfood with structures entrenched in the sand, not to mention the miles of chairs littering the beaches, especially in Trou aux Biches. 

At Mon-Choisy, are itinerant vans and fast food restaurants that are part of the landscape. "There are many people who are unemployed and feed their families. These merchants have the right to come into their van and sell their products on the beach, " said Subhas Seeruthun. As for the chairs, he says "there is everywhere in the world. Why not here? " He said that the Beach Authority has decided to reserve 15% of beaches renters lounger. "85% of the beaches are free to the public," he says. However, he concedes that the structures on the beaches still a problem because "pa kone si kapav fer kitsoz"