Calangute beach near Tito’s Lane is rapidly turning into an unauthorised garbage dumping site, with large heaps of waste raising serious concerns over environmental degradation and public health risks.
Local biodiversity activists have alleged that protected sand dunes were illegally cleared to create a dumping ground barely 50 metres from the high-tide line, in violation of coastal protection norms.
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Benedict Lobo, chairperson of the Calangute Panchayat Biodiversity Management Committee, said the dumping has resulted in significant ecological damage, including the destruction of native vegetation and loss of habitat for local fauna. He added that complaints have been formally submitted to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, the Goa State Pollution Control Board and other concerned departments.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira Lobo said the illegal dumping violates several environmental and solid waste management laws and points to serious lapses in local waste management oversight.
Environmentalists and local residents have urged authorities to carry out an immediate inspection of the site, clear the accumulated waste, restore the damaged sand dunes and initiate strict action against those responsible for the illegal dumping.
