The arrival of tourists may be music to the ears of stakeholders in the tourism industry; however, it can be an eyesore to residents along the coastal parts of Canacona taluka.
While domestic tourists have been visiting coastal Canacona in large numbers, locals have accused them of contributing significantly to garbage and other kinds of pollution.
According to the aggrieved locals, a large number of tourists arrive on a day’s visit and make roadside halts, besides stopping at isolated water bodies in the taluka during food breaks.
“This is a common sight on the road or in open fields leading to Palolem beach, the roads leading to Agonda village and other coastal areas like Galgibaga and Polem, especially during the months of December and January. The trend, however, continues till May-end but on a smaller scale,” remarked a resident.
“Domestic tourists, mostly hailing from neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra, arrive in jeeps and minibuses, equipped with cooking implements and are often seen preparing and consuming food and beverages. The open fields at Palolem village are a favourite spot for many domestic tourists for this purpose.”
“As a result of such activity, tourists often leave behind a large amount of waste and trash in the open, causing a nuisance to the people living in the area,” the resident added.
When contacted, Canacona Municipal Council Chairperson Mahadev Dessai went a step ahead and criticized the manner in which tourism has been progressing in the State.
“This is certainly not a good trend, as roadside squatting has become a major nuisance not only in terms of hygiene, but the question of safety is also a cause for concern,” said Dessai.
According to Dessai, the squatting of domestic tourists by the roadside could also pose a real threat to motorists.
“A lot of waste and thrash left in the open could fly in the area, distracting the unsuspecting motorist and this could easily lead to an accident,” Dessai added.
With non-availability of toilet facilities at all beaches of Canacona taluka, with the exception of Palolem beach, many tourists defecate in the open and near roadside water bodies, much to the anger of locals.
Some residents, however, sympathize with the domestic tourists, claiming that in the absence of toilet facilities, domestic tourists on a day’s visit have no other options than to answer nature’s call by the roadside or in the open fields.
Former Agonda sarpanch Jovi Fernandes also blames the government for failing to address the issue.
“While the State government has come out with packages on tourism to mobilize revenue for the treasury, it has done nothing to improve or provide facilities to tourists visiting the localities. With the non-availability of kitchen and toilet facilities, especially to those on an excursion or a short holiday, domestic tourists are often seen by the roadside and in open places, said Fernandes.
