MARGAO: The Tourist village of Colva is craving for urgent government attention in the absence of any waste disposal mechanism and to keep the stray dogs and cattle at bay.
If Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva gave vent to his anger against the Tourism department in the Assembly, he was upset because the government made no provision for a sewage disposal network along Salcete’s coastal belt – spanning from Cavelossim to Colva.
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Indeed, village is facing the problem of garbage and waste disposal, especially along the beach belt. The stray cattle and dog menace has added to the problem, thanks to the indifference by the government agencies to the nuisance.
Colva beach plays host to thousands of visitors every day, but the government is yet to put a mechanism in place to take care of the waste generated on the beach. In the absence of timely disposal, waste is dumped in the tourism department acquired property behind the seasonal shacks, much to the chagrin of the local villagers.
Says guest house owner, Constancio Crasto: “Neither the Tourism director nor any other authority has paid attention to the problems plaguing Colva beach. The waste is being dumped right in the acquired property. The stray cattle and dogs feast on the waste. There’s no one to keep the strays at bay”.
Sadly, there seems no end to the discharge of sewage and waste water in the Colva creek. Despite court directions, waste water continues to find its way in the creek from the hotels and business establishments. Says activist, Judith Almeida: “The situation is back to square one. The creek water is once again contaminated by the discharge of sewage and waste water”.
Friday saw the activist lodging a complaint to the DySP Mohan Naik after a group of inebriated cops from outside the state dumped liquor bottles into the creek.
Colva beach plays host to a number of seasonal shacks, but there’s no adequate provision for toilet facility for the tourists and the staff alike. The nearby bushes have come in handy to answer natures’ call in the absence of toilet facilities.
Says Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva: “I was upset with the Tourism department since the coastal belt does not find mention for the sewerage scheme. We need a sewerage network right from Colva to Cavelossim to prevent underground contamination and discharge of sewage in the river Sal”.
The Benaulim MLA said he would continue to pursue the proposal with the Parrikar government till the coastal belt is covered with the sewerage network.
