MARGAO: Following a heated Varca gram sabha meeting centred around the destruction of sand dunes, a local activist has lodged complaints with the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), South Goa Superintendent of Police (SP), and Colva Police Inspector (PI), urging a thorough investigation
to nab the culprits responsible for cutting through the sand dune on Varca beach.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
To support his claims, activist Warren Alemao shared Google map images depicting the beach’s condition in December 2022, when the sand dunes were intact, in contrast to recent images showcasing the dunes’ devastation earlier this month. He also emphasized the need for accurate data from the Directorate of Settlement & Land Records (DSLR) regarding the sand dunes.
While the gram sabha meeting led to a resolution that the village panchayat should officially file complaints with the GCZMA and police, Alemao said that his visit to Colva Police Station on Wednesday revealed that the panchayat had not yet lodged any formal complaint regarding the matter. During the meeting, Alemao had also urged the panchayat to conduct a survey to determine the number of remaining sand dunes along the beach.
“My motive for filing the complaints was the disinterest of the panchayat and Sarpanch in identifying the culprits and their protection of those responsible for the dune destruction. My aim is to safeguard Varca village against individuals solely focused on its destruction, seeking prompt actions to prevent further harm. Urgently seeking action to address the situation and hold those responsible accountable,” said Alemao, addressing the media on Wednesday.
It should be noted that the panchayat, which has commenced restoration efforts for the sand dunes, had called the flying squad to assess the site.
