Team Herald
PANJIM: In a bid to grant protection to turtle nesting sites at Galgibag in Canacona taluka, which is under severe threat, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has recommended a complete ban on tourism activities including erection of seasonal temporary structures on the beach stretch.
Further, banning usage and consumption of all products derived from turtles, GCZMA has proposed to declare the area as no fishing zone.
Following directives from National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a matter involving Painguinkaracho Ekvott vs State of Goa, GCZMA drafted the management plan for the protection of the turtle nesting sites at Galgibag.
“The investigation primarily relates to exploring the possibility of enhancing the population of marine turtles in the Galgibag area, with special priority towards the protection, conservation, monitoring and management of the marine turtle habitats, including, nesting, feeding, wintering areas, migration routes, etc; as also, augmentation of scientific knowledge by research and education,” the report stated.
The plan speaks about the various kinds of human interference activities as a major threat to the nesting site, while recommending short term and long term measures for its conservation and protection.
GCZMA has recommended that no new development activities would be undertaken in the CRZ-I area and also that no permissions for erection of seasonal temporary huts/shacks/restaurants in Galgibag beach area, would be granted. “Any future development plans would be subject to Environmental Impact Assessment,” it added.
The management plant has banned speed boating and water sports activities in the area and has declared it as no boating zone. “Some of the threats identified to the turtles are disturbance to the nesting sites and nesting females, threats to eggs, light pollution, invasive vegetation, increasing temperatures, erosion, boating activity, predation by fish, threats to hatchlings, etc,” it stated.
“In addition, some tourist based infrastructure support activities such as erection of temporary seasonal structures, like, seasonal beach shacks and huts as permitted under the CRZ 2011 Notification could also be detrimental to Olive Ridley Turtles,” the report claimed.
