DSTE orders restoration of beach to its original condition
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Government’s plan to build changing rooms/toilets in a no development zone right on the Colva beach has come in for censure from the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (DSTE).
A week after a portion of the Colva beach was excavated by a government agency to conduct soil testing before constructing the changing rooms/toilets; Monday saw a heavy earth moving machinery working overtime to restore the beach to its original condition. This follows an order passed by the Director of Science, Technology and Environment, Srinet Kothawale to the Tourism authorities to take steps to get the Colva beach restored to its original condition.
Kothawale’s order further directed the agency to clean up the Colva creek if sand has found its way into the water body during the excavation. “I have issued the stop work order cum restoration of the beach to the government agencies, the local panchayat body and the deputy collector, Margao to get the work done on a priority basis,” Kothawale said.
He said the order was issued to the deputy collector, Margao and the Colva panchayat since officials of the Science and Technology could not find any agency involved in carrying out the excavation work.
Science and Technology’s action comes in the wake a complaint received from the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Secretary Judith Almeida that the excavation work was being carried out in utter disregard to the environmental rules in force as the area falls in the no development zone.
“We will pursue this matter to the logical conclusion. We are not opposed to changing rooms and toilets for the visitors and tourists. But, there cannot be any permanents structures on the beach. We are of the firm opinion that the government should instead go in for temporary mobile changing rooms and toilets on the beach,” Judith asserted.
