Team Herald
CANACONA: Despite a recent report by O Heraldo drawing attention to the issue of alcohol consumption in restricted areas at Polem beach, the problem persists due to a lack of sustained enforcement. Although police presence briefly increased following the report, it has since diminished, allowing the previously flagged behaviour to resume openly.
Visitors, particularly from neighbouring Karwar, have reportedly returned to consuming alcohol in the very zones earlier identified as problematic. This resurgence of public drinking has sparked renewed concern among families, local residents, and tourists, who say the atmosphere has become increasingly unsafe and uncomfortable.
“The situation had improved for a few days after the report came out,” said one local vendor. “But now, it’s back to how it was—no police, and people drinking in the open, even near families,” added a villager.
Compounding the problem is the lack of basic sanitation infrastructure at the beach. Currently, a single plastic dustbin bag tied to a stone serves as the only waste disposal option. This unsanitary and inadequate arrangement is ill-suited for a beach that attracts a steady stream of tourists.
Litter continues to be strewn across the sand, and no additional bins have been installed to manage the increasing volume of waste.
Locals are calling on authorities to implement long-term measures rather than short-term fixes. Many believe that without consistent monitoring, adequate waste management, and proper infrastructure, the situation will only worsen, undermining the beach’s potential as a clean, safe, and family-friendly destination.