Though the Tourism Department in Goa has been introducing various activities like helicopter rides and Sea planes to promote the coastal state, the Coco Beach which falls in the tourism minister’s own constituency ‘Saligao’ is totally neglected and is crying for attention with garbage being piled up in every patch and lack of toilet facilities. 

Tourism related boat operators and other stake holders have blamed the tourism minister for failing to tackle the issue of garbage menace and installing public toilets and changing room facilities on the beach and as a result they say mainly foreign tourists have slowly started diminishing and in a way preferring other beaches. 

With elections round the corner, locals from the region will be looking for a change hoping that better facilities in terms of basic amenities and most importantly cleanliness. 

“This was one of the cleanest beaches in Goa, but currently it is filled with garbage as domestic tourists just keep littering the place with left over stuff like wrappers, plastic, cigarette buds, beer bottles, coconut shells which makes the place look filthy, there are no dustbins available at the beach, in a way attracts the people to just dispose it away” said John Desa, a local resident.

As Herald visited the beach, stink was in the air and garbage on the ground. It was also revealed that there were  no facilities for the tourists in terms of changing rooms and toilets, not even dust bins.

Another local Paul Nazerath had to say this “What is the use of building a garbage treatment plant and spending crores of money. I guess after the beach cleaning contract was stopped, beach cleaning has stopped completely, garbage is just piling up at every corner and the beach is in a complete mess. I personally would not have gone on to a beach like this, what is the department and tourism minister up to, he should have sprung to action in protecting the lone beach in his constituency”  

Speaking to Herald, an Australian tourist said “This is my second visit to Goa in seven years and the last time I visited the beach it was apparently much cleaner and less crowded and today I see a series of eateries, clothing shops and other different stores. Times have changed. Garbage has spilled all over making it difficult for people to walk." 

In an era when  the people of India are paying Swachh cess, there aren't public toilets, putting women especially in a lot of trouble. Men can relieve thmeselves in the open thus leaving behind a lot of stink and muck.   

“I have seen people urinating on the beach. The tourism minister must see the growing tourist influx and accordingly instal additional facilities. Toilets and changing rooms are a must,” said a local who did not want to reveal his identity

However, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said, “A portion of the property at Coco beach belongs to a local and that is creating toubles in development activities. I have spent my own money and had asked the stakeholders to at least get portable toilets installed.”