Team Herald
PANJIM: Giving scant respect to High Court directives against noise pollution in the State, a loud music party continued in close proximity of Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites at Ashvem beach, Mandrem, for the second night under alleged political patronage, even after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informing that the party had been stopped by the police.
Following a complaint by the villagers that a music party similar to the electronic dance music (EDM) held at Vagator beach was happening at Ashvem, government authorities including the officials of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) rushed to the site and tried to stop the party on Thursday night. However, the blasting music stopped only at 6.30 am on Friday.
The State Forest department on Friday issued a show cause notice to the organisers Ukiyo beach resort at Ashvem for CRZ violation and for causing disturbance to the Olive Ridley Turtle nesting site.
The Pernem Deputy Collector also issued directions to monitor the beach belt area and report of any violation of sound pollution norms. Sources said that the Deputy Collector’s office has not received any official complaint. However, directions have been issued to monitor the area.
Despite this, the four-day widely advertised loud music party continued to disturb the serenity of the area for the second night on Friday, forcing the villagers and others to report it to the Pernem police and other authorities. The authorities again tried to stop it, but appeared helpless due to a political heavyweight’s patronage to the party.
When contacted, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that he will find out about the party and then told O Heraldo that the party has been stopped by the police. But the loud music party continued past midnight, till the time of going to the press.
Earlier, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said that he had directed the forest department to take stern action against the violators in accordance with the Forest Conservation Act.
“It has been brought to the attention of the department that many parties are being held in Morjim, close to the turtle nesting site and one such party took place last (Thursday) night, 100 metres away from the protected site,” he said.
“The Forest department has also notified the North Goa District Collector and other officials to act as per law and ensure that such incidents do not occur again. Will see that no permissions are granted in future,” Rane said.
Mandrem Sarpanch Amit Sawant that the Village Panchayat did not have any role to play, as permissions for music parties are issued by the Deputy Collector and other authorities.
Range Forest Officer, Wildlife and Eco Tourism, Morjim, in a show cause notice issued has stated that during the site inspection, “Sun beds were put up in the inter-tidal zone and also lights put up and loud music was being played at night time at the Ashvem-Mandrem beach by the resort, amounting to violation of Coastal Zone Management Authority norms. The resort was also found to have erected metallic stand/structure.”
The beach is reserved for Olive Ridley Turtles nesting during this time of the year and the resort venue is in close proximity, violating provisions of the law.
The resort has been directed to reply to the show cause notice within next three days.
