MORJIM: Bright lights and loud music are a no-no at places designated as turtle nesting sites. However, locals say that one prominent nightclub at Morjim Beach, among others, has been playing blaring music in the heart of this fragile ecosystem.
This area has been declared a turtle nesting site under CRZ Notification dated 6th January 2011- is doing just that thus, leaving locals and turtle conservationists fuming.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
These clubs and other party places draw high-end tourists from India and some from Russia who had made Morjim their base before the pandemic.
“The music is loud and does disturb the children around but we hope this madness will not continue right through the year as our children need to sleep and get up to go to school,” said an anxious mother.
The CRZ notification section which refers to the State of Goa, reads under section (VII) : “The beaches such as Mandrem, Morjim, Galgibaga and Agonda have been designated as turtle nesting sites and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and these areas shall be surveyed and management plan prepared for the protection of these turtle nesting sites.”
“Adjacent to the newest of the nightclubs/party places is a shack and section 12.4 b(ii) of the Tourism Department Shack Policy reads: “Artificial lighting: The shack allotted shall desist from installing any outdoor illumination. The indoor lighting should also be muted and provided with opaque shields on sea facing side.”
In section 12.4 b (iii) it says: Playing of loud music in the beach shacks beyond 6pm and holding of beach parties shall be prohibited.”
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar has promised justice on receiving a complaint “No one has complained to me till now. Playing loud music on Morjim Beach is not allowed and I will see that nothing of that sort happens. If I react without complaints, I will be accused of trying to extort money from the owners of the place,” reasoned Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar. I will surely act even if one person complains,” assured the local MLA.
“It is very clear that our government has two sets of rules when it comes to playing music and using lights on the beach. You can come from out and do what you want in Goa,” mused a shack owner on condition of anonymity.
Speaking about one high-end club which is now the centre of attention, one elderly resident who requested that he is not named, said: “The police come between ten and midnight to ask them to reduce the sound but once they have gone, the sound is loud again. This is paid games that all in the village are aware of.”
Attempts to contact the Pernem Police Inspector proved futile with the latter sending a message that he would get back, which he did not till the time of going to press.
