Panaji, May 18 (IANS): Goa's tourism industry stakeholders on Thursday, condoled the death of Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Anil Dave.

Dave's decision to amend the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) earlier in May, had provided relief to Goa's beach shack operators.

In a statement issued here, Savio Messias, president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), said Dave's death was "untimely".

Dave was due to visit Goa over the weekend where he was to be felicitated for his CRZ amendment, Messias statement added.

"The TTAG mourns the sad demise of Anil Madhav Dave, Minister of Environment, Forest... Dave, who was very sensitive to issues in Goa and took many good decision," Messias said.

Dave's decision to amend the CRZ, allowed beach shack operators to retain their beach-fronted shacks during the monsoons, instead of dismantling them as per earlier law, saving them an annual logistical inconvenience and money.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar also condoled Dave's death.

"Shocked and saddened by untimely demise of Anil Dave. India has lost a promising leader who had immense concern for our environment," Parrikar said on Twitter.

Dave, 61, who was elected to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, died in the national capital.