MARGAO: Government’s plan to introduce mechanical beach cleaning at Colva has come under severe criticism from local social activists, asserting that mechanical beach cleaning would spell doom for marine and aquatic life on the beach.
The activists threw up a host of questions to the government. Could the government or the Tourism Department tell the people of Colva the yardstick adopted to implement mechanical cleaning of the beach, while deciding to undertake manual beach at some other beaches. Has the government undertaken any detailed study on the impact of mechanical beach cleaning on the marine life?
Saying that Goa houses the National Institute of Oceanography and has other eminent scientists as its residents, activist Judith Almeida demanded to know whether the Goa government had sought detailed reports from the NIO or the eminent scientists working in the institute.
“If yes, let the government place the reports before the Goan people for perusal and study,” she said.
Replying to a question, Judith pointed out that the proposal was opposed by the gram sabha.
