If you had seen the serial ‘Bay Watch’ starring David Hasselhoff and his “able-bodied” team of life guards like Pamela Anderson, Yasmin Bleeth and the likes and thought that you would be witnessing sun-kissed clean sandy beaches and a helluva lot of activities like beach ball, volley ball… hey stop for a moment. Take a break and sample this:
Just two weeks before Goa is all set to host the new tourism season, the state will be showcasing dead fish, stink and muck on the beaches. On one hand, while the tourism department is busy installing 24×7 CCTVs and lifeguards, on the other, nobody actually knows who is going to clean up the beaches for which all these are being done.
The Government had already scrapped the beach cleaning contract in Goa and is yet to decide upon the fresh contract to clear the garbage from the beaches.
The beaches, which have the largest number of footfall are Miramar and Caranzalem. These are also termed as VIP beaches. However, the condition of these beaches is abysmal. The entire stretch of Caranzalem beach is strewn with dead fish and poisonous snakes left behind by fishermen after their catch.
A “regiment” of stray dogs, displaying their fangs, have moved in to these beaches in search of “food” causing huge inconvenience to the general public and tourists. One can smell the stench of rotten fish and filth on these beaches.
Miramar beach is literally wrapped in plastic! In the absence of dustbins, beach-goers, even if they have a sense of cleanliness, are left with no choice but to dump the garbage on the beach.
A “romantic’ walk down Miramar (beach) on a moonlit night could become a nightmare, thanks to shards of glasses sticking out from sand mounds. People are seen freely consuming liquor on the beaches and then dumping these bottles sometimes even breaking the same, caring two-hoots for the safety of others.
Both these beaches are popular among morning joggers and senior citizens. Many of our athletes are also seen on these beaches. Also several VIPs, senior bureaucrats, and High Court lazwyers are seen here early in the day. Meanwhile, Goa Police have said their PCR vans make regular patrols on these beaches mainly to curb youths from creating nuisance.
“It has been almost three months now that we have been facing the problem on the beach especially in the monsoon after local fishermen start their fishing activities which leaves a lot of muck on the beach,” said Sebistian Fernandes, a senior citizen from Caranzalem.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar who frequents the beach said there has been a sharp fall in the number of joggers and morning walkers due to the filth and stench. Gaonkar recently saved a Delhi businessman from committing suicide.
“I am not blaming anyone for the condition of the beaches but we must be able to showcase a good and bright side to hard sell our land as a tourist spot. The garbage and stench send a wrong message,” DySP Gaonkar said.
Senior advocate Surendra Desai who also visits Miramar beach every morning has raised the concern over the beach’s cleanliness. “It becomes very difficult for senior citizens and common people who utilise the beach to themselves healthy,” advocate Desai said.
He goes on to say, “ Miramar beach is important as it borders partially the capital town of Goa. Even otherwise, this is the only beach which is open and wide compared to other beaches in Goa which are infested with structures legal and illegal. It is of utmost importance that the Government ensures to keep Miramar beach clean, healthy and attractive. Just having swachchta or cleanliness as a slogan is not enough, we need action.”
