Villages in South Goa Oppose Sunburn Festival, Alleging Promotion of Drug Culture

Panaji, July 31, 2024 - Several villages in South Goa have voiced strong opposition to the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Sunburn Festival, which is expected to take place at the end of this year. These villages claim that the festival promotes a drug culture and causes various local problems, including traffic congestion.

Resolutions Against the Festival

During recent Gram Sabha meetings, seven villages—Chicalim, Carmona, Nuvem, Varca, Sarzora, Chinchinim, and Camorlim—passed resolutions opposing the Sunburn Festival 2024. The resolutions state that the festival should not be held in Goa, describing it as a "hub for the sale of drugs" and highlighting the resulting issues for locals.

A village representative explained:

"The Sunburn Festival brings in a crowd that often engages in drug use, and this affects our community negatively. Additionally, the festival causes severe traffic congestion, disrupting our daily lives."

Tourism Industry's Perspective

Despite the opposition from local villages, stakeholders in the tourism industry support the festival, arguing that it generates significant revenue for the state. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), which represents various tourism stakeholders, estimates that the festival generates approximately Rs 200 crore in revenue.

TTAG President Jack Sukhija stated:

"A well-organized festival can unlock economic value and support local communities. With proper planning and infrastructure, the festival can be successful without adversely affecting the local population."

Economic Impact

Sanjay Amonkar, director general of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the economic benefits of the festival. He noted that Sunburn has significantly boosted North Goa's tourism economy, with local businesses being the primary beneficiaries.

Amonkar commented:

"Festivals like Sunburn bring in a lot of business for local shops, restaurants, and hotels. It has been a major contributor to the tourism economy in North Goa."

Government's Stance

State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte indicated that the Sunburn Festival organizers have not yet applied for permission to hold the event. He stated that the government would be able to make an official statement regarding the festival only after the application is submitted.

Minister Khaunte said:

"We will evaluate the situation and make a decision once the organizers submit their application. Our priority is to ensure that any event held in Goa benefits the state without causing harm to the local population."