AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
TEMBVADDO, MORJIM: Fearing that the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) will irrevocably damage the ecologically sensitive Morjim Beach — a declared nesting site for the endangered Olive Ridley turtle — retired Captain Gerald Fernandes, the first recipient of the Goa government’s Wildlife Conservation Award, has decided to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Pune.
“Once the paperwork is finished either by Monday or Tuesday, High Court advocate Barbara Andrade is entrusted to do the rest. It is now very clear that the government cares a damn about endangered species like the Olive Ridley turtles,” roared Fernandes.
Explaining his delay in filing the case, Fernandes said, “I did not file the case earlier as I was informed that the government was to drop the project. Furthermore, as per tender conditions, the monsoon period was specifically excluded for the contractor. By the time I applied for information through RTI, work started.”
Environmental voices have grown louder, especially from the local community and experts concerned about irreversible damage.
“I am happy that the community in Morjim has come together to protest against the setting up of a parking lot to protect their habitat and that of Olive Ridley turtles that are classified as endangered species by the Government of India,” stated Dr Roshni Kutty, South Asia Coordinator of the ICCA Consortium – Marine, and member of the Kalpavriksh environment action group.
“It is bad that such activity is being encouraged when even in a place like Odisha, where there is mass nesting by Olive Ridley turtles, the Forest Department has banned the use of powerful lights,” explained Dr Kutty.
“It has been scientifically proven that Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings move towards the light horizon towards the ocean. If there are lights on land, they move towards it and after a while, either get dehydrated and die or are eaten by stray dogs or other animals.”
According to Dr Kutty, the situation in Goa is worse due to destruction of sand dunes on Morjim beach. “It is not only the lights but the flattening of the sand dunes that is alarming. We are already in a climate crisis, not climate change, because weather events have already become morbid,” she warned.
“These sand dunes along with the vegetation are natural barriers that prevent the sea from eating the coast. It is shocking that permission has been granted to destroy them,” added a distraught Dr Kutty, who has done extensive work on turtle conservation in Goa.
Environmentalists are increasingly disillusioned with the government’s approach, calling out the agencies that are meant to safeguard natural habitats.
“First and foremost, for reasons better left unsaid, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has proven to be found most wanting,” said reptile conservationist and environmentalist Aaron Fernandes from nearby Siolim.
Activist to move NGT over tourism dept’s turtle site plan
“The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is devoid of the concept of sustainability, garbage management etc… and this is a disaster waiting to happen if it goes through,” he added.
“Let’s all understand that the concept of ‘beauty’ and ‘beautification’ is subject to perception. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, it is said, and this project will undoubtedly turn out to not only be extremely detrimental to the well-being of the protected species of Olive Ridley turtles but a damn eyesore to anybody with the slightest idea of aesthetic appeal,” Fernandes fumed.
SatyavanHarmalkar, member of the subcommittee on Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom associated with biodiversity under the Goa State Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan 2025–2030, expressed his disappointment with the GCZMA.
“The Anjuna biodiversity board has submitted a letter to our MLA Delilah Lobo urging the GCZMA to declare our Mahiri beach in Vagator (well known as Dream Beach) as a turtle nesting site and yet nothing has happened,” said Harmalkar.
“It has been months since the letter was submitted and there is no news about the status of that letter. With the GCZMA now giving permission for sand dunes to be flattened in Morjim, I think our expectations are misplaced,” he added.
DenzilSequeira, who protects turtle nests in Mandrem at the behest of the Forest Department, offered a broader view: “The government needs to clearly define areas of mass beach tourism and eco-beach tourism and prioritise planning accordingly. If not, the little that is left will be destroyed. Quality tourism, not the number of tourists, is the key.”
“Most countries in Europe are trying to reduce the number of tourists. In Goa, we only talk about numbers,” quipped Sequeira.