BENAULIM: After causing a fright at Varca beach in 2015, tar balls have again resurfaced on the Salcete’s beaches this time at Benaulim beach.
Last year the tar balls had appeared at Mobor, Utorda, Benaulim and Varca beaches.
“The tar balls are here again. It’s beginning and the situation will aggravate unless the tourism department does something,” said Rudolf Barreto, Benaulim resident.
Local fishermen also criticised the authorities including the tourism department for failing to respond to complaints.
Varca had not seen such problems in the past, they said.
Some tar balls may be as large as 30 cm in diameter, but most are coin-sized or a bit bigger. Driven by winds, waves and currents, they float and spread out on the shore.
While government officials suspected that that tar balls were washed ashore during the pre- and post-monsoon period along the Konkan belt, locals questioned what are the long term measures being taken by the government to stop this annual menace.
