SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
morjim: Asserting that they want turtle nesting, locals said they don’t want NGOs or trusts to operate on Morjim beach.
They protested at the Olive Ridley nesting site on Morjim beach where they opposed Morjim Sea Turtle Trust from operating on the beach.
They claimed that this trust had organised Goa Sea Turtle Festival 2020-2021 on Tuesday at the Olive Ridley nesting site on Morjim beachm which the locals had opposed.
"The Forest Dept has acquired around 3400 sqmt land so if any festival is being held, it should be organized by the Dept and not any NGO or trust. We don't want privatisation on this beach", said Pawan Morje, a local resident.
Another protester said, "This trust is talking about shacks by having a platform. If platforms are made, then how will the turtles be in a position to move around? From the last 15 years we have preserved this land and we will not allow any private trust to operate here..
Protesters also claimed that last year even after getting a licence legally, the shacks were demolished and that the shack owners had to pay fines of lakhs of rupees.
