ASHRAF KHAN
VALPOI
Appreciating nature’s beauty without polluting it has been a major challenge at the scenic Chorla Ghat, which forms part of the protected Mhadei wild life sanctuary.
Hundreds of visitors are attracted to the Chorla ghat, especially during the monsoons, but many pay scant respect to maintain cleanliness in the area. As a result, garbage has been discarded recklessly in the area, mindless to the consequences of their actions which are destroying the natural environment.
Recently, the Yuva Manch of the state Kumbhar Samaj decided to take the initiative to collect all garbage from a 17-km stretch of road from Keri (Sattari) to Chorla Ghat, as part of its mission to protect and save the environment.
“We have been undertaking this exercise for the fourth year now and we have been clearing garbage and waste which has been recklessly thrown by tourists or visitors at Chorla Ghat,” informed Kumbhar Samaj Yuva Manch President Raghoba Pednekar.
“This year, nearly 300 people, including students from Government College (Sanquelim), Bhumika higher secondary (Poriem-Sattari), nature lovers and members of various voluntary organizations took part in cleaning a 17-km stretch of road at Chorla Ghat. An entire truckload of garbage was collected in one day and was later handed over to the pollution control board,” said Pednekar.
He informed that the Range Forest Officer (Mahadei wildlife sanctuary) Paresh Parob has also taken the initiative to install dustbins through the forest department in various important places at the Chorla Ghat.
“Excise department officers also keep a vigil on those carrying liquor at the Keri checkpost. Despite all these efforts, some visitors still do not throw garbage in the dust bins provided to them by forest department.”
Pednekar, however, admitted that the various initiatives to keep Chorla Ghat clean have yielded some results.
“This year, the garbage was less on comparison to garbage accumulated last year as the police have been keeping a strict watch on picnickers causing nuisance and discarding liquor bottles by the roadside. Hence, the problem has reduced due to the cooperation of police, excise and forest department officials, besides law-abiding citizens and environmentalists,” acknowledged Pednekar.
When contacted, Valpoi Police Inspector Sanjay Dalvi informed that the police have managed to reduce nuisance by picnickers, following police patrolling every Saturday and Sunday.
“Consumption of alcohol by picnickers is presently banned at the picnic spots in Chorla Ghat. Eve-teasing is also strictly prohibited and police teams caution tourists not to throw plastic bottles and garbage on the road. However, some picnickers consume alcohol on the Karnataka border and we are helpless as it does not fall in our jurisdiction,” informed PI Dalvi.
Meanwhile, members of voluntary organizations have felt that the tourist department should make some arrangements for picnickers and tourists, including the provision of parking space and a garden near the Anjunem dam along the way to Chorla Ghat.
Some locals have also felt that the Keri panchayat should take the initiative to set up a botanical garden near Anjunem dam for the benefit of tourists and to enhance the beauty of the Ghat.
