AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
Vagator: A New Year’s Eve rave party on a Vagator stretch where Olive Ridley turtles come to lay eggs has laid bare the apathy of the Forest Department in protecting Goa’s natural environment. A letter by the eco-conscious local community to declare Dream Beach in Vagator a turtle nesting site has been gathering dust with the Forest Office, with no clarity on whether the beach will get the special status to spur conservation efforts.
Ironically, police crashed the party and put an end to the revelry – but that was not to save the turtles. According to an officer from the Anjuna Police Station, the party, held on land owned by the Tourism Department, was halted once authorities became aware of it.
"They had no permission to hold the event," the officer stated.
Local resident Michael Mendonca expressed concern over the environmental impact of such events. "Turtles have been coming ashore to lay their eggs for years. It's upsetting that the beach, a vital habitat, is now being used for rave parties," he said.
Documents from the Forest Department reveal that between January 20 and March 18, 2024, 17 turtles came ashore at Dream Beach, laying a total of 1,515 eggs. A turtle guard is stationed there to monitor their nesting activity.
A Forest Officer who did not want to be named, stated that the letter dated March 23, 2024, requesting the declaration of the beach as a turtle nesting site was forwarded to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), and they are awaiting instructions before proceeding with further action. "We cannot move forward until we receive guidance from the DCF," the officer from the Campal Forest Office explained.
Despite multiple attempts, DCF Prem Kumar did not respond to calls or messages regarding the status of the request. “Once we receive instructions from the DCF, we will have to do an inspection that would include soil testing. Turtles have been regularly walking ashore to lay their eggs at the beach in Vagator,” explained the Forest Officer.
The local turtle guard revealed that once eggs are laid, the team in Morjim is notified to relocate them to a hatchery for protection. However, locals, such as Urbina D’Souza, are increasingly disillusioned with the situation. "Thousands come and party on the beach and leave it in a mess with broken bottles and plastic, and the turtles' natural habitat is being destroyed," she said.
Vagator residents also questioned how a large stage and sound system were set up on the beach without the knowledge or consent of local authorities. Anjuna Police Inspector Suraj Gauns and Anjuna Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar did not respond to inquiries about the event’s approval. Chimulkar stated, "No one asked us for permission, so it didn’t arise."