AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
AGONDA: The Deputy Collector and other officials were present at Agonda on Friday, sealing establishments that have been ordered shut by the High Court to protect the turtle nesting sites on the beach.
The 24-hour deadline set by the court to pull the shutters down on 67 places had expired, but it was clear that the administration would need more time to seal all. The stretch of coastline in question spans from Valvado to Dhovolkazonvado in Agonda. Thirteen places were visibly wrapped in tarpaulin, though some rooms remain unsealed. While certain areas have been completely sealed, many others still lack the necessary closures.
Deputy Collector Madhu Narvekar provided some context, stating, "We are sealing structures identified by the authorities of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). If an establishment has not been sealed, it means it was not deemed necessary."
Narvekar further explained the meticulous nature of the task: “Some establishments have several rooms. For example, the one we just sealed had ten rooms, all of which needed to be sealed. Multiply that by the number of establishments and you can imagine how much time this will take.”
Locals, who had gathered in groups, voiced their concerns as the sealing continued. “The nesting site is located at Dhovolkazonvado. Why are they targeting establishments at this end of the beach?” asked Constancio Fernandes, a concerned local.
However, experts maintain that the entire stretch of beach is vital for turtle conservation. Nester Fernandes, Project Coordinator at the Coastal Conservation Foundation, explained, “Turtles can come ashore anywhere along the beach to lay their eggs. Once the eggs are laid, they are relocated by turtle guards to designated hatching sites. That is why the entire beach is declared a nesting site.”
Fernandes further elaborated, "No sunbeds or activities that could disturb the turtles are allowed anywhere along the beach. Nesting and hatching are both critical aspects of the conservation effort."
The sealing operation, which began early in the day, faced several logistical challenges. Deputy Collector Narvekar, visibly frustrated, commented, “I think we sealed 20-25 establishments yesterday, and we’re continuing today. I’ve been out here since yesterday, missing meals, just to complete this task as quickly as possible.”
Malatdar Manoj Korgaonkar, overseeing the operation, outlined the process: “Once an establishment is identified by a GCZMA engineer, the Electricity Department disconnects the power supply, and if there’s a commercial water connection, that’s also cut off. This is crucial to prevent any safety hazards, such as a fire, from going unaddressed due to the seals."
Addressing rumors that certain parts of the beach were being targeted more than others, Korgaonkar clarified, “We started in Valvado because it’s easier to begin at one end and work our way to the other. The perception that we are only targeting one part of the beach is false. We are simply following the GCZMA’s instructions.”
A GCZMA engineer, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the authority’s role was to identify establishments operating without permission, while the Deputy Collector’s office is responsible for carrying out the sealing.
Throughout the day, the emotional toll of the operation was evident on the faces of those affected. Many found solace in the community’s solidarity. “If something wrong has been done, it must be corrected,” remarked Fr Patrick Luis, the parish priest of Agonda.