The popular traveler-destination of Goa in India won a victory for visiting tourists today, it has been revealed.
Controversial plans to create Special Economic Zones (SEZs), akin to the tax-free industrial zones in China set up to encourage exports, have been abandoned because of the potential affect on the region's thriving tourist industry.
Strong protest from political and environmental groups voiced concerns over the effect on the tourism industry and environment.
"It [the state] has been decided to cancel all the projects now for various reasons," Goa chief minister, Digambar Kamat, told Reuters.
Plans have been met with particular opposition from farmers, who have not been keen on the prospect of being forced to sell their land.
The Indian federal government has approved nearly 400 SEZs this year, with Goa originally earmarked for 15 such developments.
However, the commerce secretary has ruled out the denotification of the sites, stating that the government in Goa has no right to withdraw the SEZs as they are now legal entities.
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