Tourists make merry at Colva as tar ball menace subsides
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, SEPT 4
Colva beach finally played host to a large number of tourists and visitors on Saturday, even as the carcass of a dolphin was washed ashore early this evening.
At neighbouring Benaulim beach, a decomposed gobro was found lying unattended since this morning.
Unmindful of the tar ball menace that has hit Colva beach near six days ago, tourists flocked to the beach in large numbers this evening. Many a visitor was seen making merry in the waters, indicating that the tar ball menace has subsided for the moment.
However, the carcass of a dolphin was found on the shore this morning. The carcass was later buried on the beach. This is the second dolphin that was found was lying dead on the beach since Monday.
A visit to the Benaulim beach revealed that a carcass of a huge gobro was found lying on the shore since this morning. While a local activist Judith Almeida has said that the tar ball menace has affected marine life, locals pointed out that no large scale fish mortality is spotted on the beach.
Meanwhile, a sailor from Navelim, Cruz Rodrigues has urged chief secretary to take immediate steps to stop the tar ball menace on the Goan beaches.
Demanding that those involved in destroying the white sandy beaches should be brought to justice, Cruz said it is the responsibility of the state government to instruct the Coast Guard, state port control and the Goa State Pollution Control Board to take necessary measures to put a permanent stop on these activities.
Meanwhile, Benaulim Civic and Consumer Forum convenor Ciriaco Barreto has said that it is shameful that the government cannot do anything to save the beaches when the state boasts of tourism.
“There’s a hue and cry that tourism would suffer. But, forget about the tourists, our locals and fishermen will be affected too”, he added.
Barreto said it is indeed a shame that the government cannot handle the tar ball menace, adding that the government should treat the matter seriously by directing the concerned agencies to track down the ships involved in oil discharge in the high seas.
