Team Herald
MARGAO: Broken glass pieces found in patches along the beaches in Salcete’s coastal belt have become a serious concern as Goa’s tourist season kicks off, with beach shacks now operational and a surge of visitors expected during the upcoming Diwali holidays.
Despite occasional rain showers still persisting, locals taking their daily beach walks have been alarmed by these hazardous pieces littering certain areas of the shores – a threat that could impact both tourists and residents alike.
While locals wonder if these pieces have been displaced from their original locations by the recent monsoon winds, they have expressed serious concern about the safety hazard this presents to both tourists and residents. The issue is particularly worrying for
international tourists who often aren’t familiar with local beach conditions and might not exercise the same caution as residents.
There have been multiple
incidents of injuries where people, including young children and tourists, have suffered cuts from these broken glass pieces.
Local tourism operators report that several visitors have already complained about the hazard, with some even
posting negative reviews online, which damages Goa’s reputation as a premier beach destination.
“This is not just a local safety issue anymore – it’s becoming a serious threat to our tourism industry,” said Satyajit Naik from Margao. “I’ve seen tourists walking barefoot
on the sand, completely unaware of the danger. These are not minor injuries we’re talking about.”
The locals questioned the effectiveness of the ban on public drinking on beaches that was introduced a few years ago, along with a ban on beach littering. They argue that poor implementation of these rules has led to the current situation.
Others demanded that the government and alcohol-producing companies develop a more efficient system for collecting such discarded bottles, including plastic. Some suggested implementing a
bottle deposit system, similar to those successful in other tourist destinations, to encourage proper disposal and recycling. They also called for the authorities to take this issue seriously and create awareness among visitors.