PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Morjim village panchayat and the Department of Tourism not to allow cremation near the Oliver Ridley turtle nesting site at Morjim.
The land, situated about 70 metres away from the turtle nesting site is owned by Department of Tourism and it was used by the villagers for cremation.
The villagers of Morjim had through their petition urged the Court to allow them to continue using the place for cremation stating that it was being used for the purpose for several decades and that it was not affecting the turtles, who had been laying eggs.
The Court observed that if the turtles are resilient, it does not mean such disturbing activities be allowed and directed the Pernem Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, Director of Tourism and the Morjim panchayat secretary to ensure that no cremation activity is performed in a plot owned by the Department of Tourism near the turtle nesting site.