MARGAO: South Goa Collector Dr Tariq Thomas has issued an order prohibiting the movement of all types of motor vehicles on the beaches within the district except those deployed for the purpose of comprehensive management of beach cleanliness, lifeguard services, vehicles of Tourist Security Force and Police Department as authorised by the Tourism Department.
The order states that care should be taken to avoid turtle nesting sites while patrolling and that no sand dune vegetation and turtles should be disturbed.
It states that no patrolling should be done at Galgibaga beach and authorises the erection of signboards at such places.
Stating that the order is a compilation of three previous orders, Dr Thomas said, “After recent incidents at Betalbatim beach and elsewhere, the police needed authorisation to take action whenever they find violation while patrolling.”
He said if any citizen finds a vehicle driven on the beach they can inform the police, deputy collector or even complain via the traffic sentinel scheme.
It is pertinent to note that several beaches in Salcete lack signboards to prevent motorists from driving along the beach.
There have been incidents of motorists driving vehicles on Orlim and Betalbatim beaches. The recent high profile case was of former MLA Mickky Pacheco, who allegedly drove his vehicle on the beach and tried to run over a man who was filming him.
