Tar balls leave trail on Agonda beach
HERALD CORRESPONENT
CANACONA, SEPT 4
A trail of tar balls and traces of burnt oil have covered the Agonda beach in Canacona.
According to locals, tar balls are being washed ashore since the last few days, ever since tar balls began to surface along the Salcete coast.
The massive presence of tar balls at Salcete beaches has caused concern among residents along the Canacona coast, who fear of a similar ecological disaster in Canacona.
Several patches of a thick oily substance are also noticed amid the tar balls along the entire 3-km stretch of the Agonda beach. “The oily substance is being washed ashore especially during high tide,” informed a resident of Agonda.
The presence of tar ball has made it difficult for tourists as well as locals who frequent the beach during their morning or evening walks on the sand.
“At some locations, tar balls and patches of black oil are hidden under the sand and are not easily visible. But they stick to our feet,” said Shekar Pagi, who regularly walks on the beach.
Incidentally, residents have been reporting the presence of tar balls in the taluka’s other beaches at Polem, Galgibaga, Patnem, Colomb, Palolem, and neighbouring coasts in Khola village, including Nuem, Cabo-de-Rama and Kankol.
