VASCO: It was the first lowest of low tide of 2022 at the famous Vareg Island in Chicalim. However unlike in past, the area was left abandoned by the traditional local community in complete disappointment.

All this, because last year, the same area had yielded a bountiful tisreo (clam) and kalvam (oyster) crop in mud flats of Chicalim and Sancoale but this year clams (tisreos) have not returned to this most resourceful marine area, leaving the local tribal community that depends on this natural resource for its livelihood in disappointment.

“Over hundreds of Dabolim-Chicalim villagers besides others from South Goa have been extracting clams from the Vareg Island sand-bar during low tide. Last year during lockdown (in May 2021), there were a huge growth of oysters with hundreds of people from different villages collecting the same from Chicalim and Sancoale Bay. But this New Year came like a shocker for all as the clams didn’t show up this time (low yield),” said Cyril Fernandes, environmental activist and chairman of Heritage Committee of Chicalim Biodiversity Management Committee.

According to Fernandes, most area of Chicalim Bay is rich breeding ground of clams, windowpane oysters and other sea species.

“But various factors and pollution by iron ore barges has destroyed this natural habitat of the now extinct scheduled species placuna placenta, commonly known in Goa as windowpane oysters or the Mother of Pearl Oysters,” he added.

Baban Ingole, retired chief scientist, biological oceanography, NIO said, “Actually we need to investigate the cause behind this. One probability could be that this year there might be delay in clam yield. This is why we have been speaking about marking an area as “No Takeaway Zone” so that breeding can take place in that area,” he said.

Meanwhile, environmental activists from Chicalim and Sancoale have urged the State administration and importantly the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) to look into the matter on priority.