No agency to tackle strays at Colva beach

No agency to tackle strays at Colva beach
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 25  
There seems no agency involved in tackling the menace of stray dogs and cattle at the Colva beach.
While the local Colva village Panchayat had employed local youth to drive away Laamanis loitering on the beach, stray cattle and dogs appears having a field day for want of any agency to tackle the menace.
If the Colva Panchayat secretary is to be believed, the Panchayat body has employed a 7-member group of youngsters on monthly payments to maintain a vigil on laamanis. “This arrangement has been made by Panchayat body to ensure the Laamanis does not create nuisance to the visitors”, informed the Panchayat secretary.
But, when asked about the stray cattle and dogs on the beach stretch, especially at the entrance to the beach, the Panchayat secretary informed that the responsibility of impounding the cattle and dogs rests with the Tourism Department.
“What is happening on the beach is the look out of the Tourism Department, including beach cleanliness”, he added.
Meanwhile, there seems no respite to the thousands of visitors to the Colva beach as they are literally forced to cross the creek waters via a wooden plank for want of any arrangement made by the Tourism Department.
Locals say it’s nearly a fortnight since the creek waters entering the sea changed its course, putting visitors to the beach to great hardships.
Sources said attempts made by some people to get heavy machinery to level the beach was abandoned as the move did not receive support from the authorities.