MARGAO
The June 1 inspection of the area around the creek, the toilet block and the shore has revealed that all’s not well at the world-famous Colva beach.
It was observed during the site inspection that the toilet block adjoining the beach was inspected and the Sewage Treatment Plant was not in use.
“Upon being switched on, it emitted an unbearable stench. Shockingly, after we had moved away, the STP was switched off again. It was also observed that the attendant was overcharging the tourists. Adjoining the toilet block is the children’s park area, which was also littered with garbage,” stated Colva Civic and Consumer Forum president Judith Almeida in her site inspection report.
It was further observed that despite an agency collecting garbage from the beach, waste was seen littered everywhere including in the panchayat area and the adjoining drain. Littering of garbage all along the creek on the seaward side including black spots between the creek and mangroves was observed. Remnants of waste burning were noted, the report stated.
The team came across garbage and plastic bottles floating in the recently desilted creek. “The balusters of the bridges leading to the beach are damaged and in a dilapidated state. Even the flooring is damaged at several places. The creek walls in two areas near the exit point have collapsed inside. Stones used to construct the walls are seen dislodged and need to be repaired urgently,” the report said.
It further stated that the so-called concrete sitting infrastructure facility for the public constructed at the entrance of the beach by the GTDC is carried out without any application of mind.
“Instead of using eco-friendly material the entire facility is constructed with concrete and will be unusable especially during the daytime when the sun is up as it will get heated up. This area is completely devoid of any trees/green cover,” Judith stated.
Saying that the forum has been informed of a proposal to construct a walkway along the western side of the creek, Judith called for the scrapping of the proposal, adding it will only cause more degradation to an already destructive so-called tourism-related infrastructure being developed by the government.
“We were informed that this area would be paved. Pavers will not serve any purpose. On the contrary, they will only heat the area. We suggest that this area should be vegetated using locally available dune vegetation like shrubs and creepers. The vegetation would prevent erosion as well as hinder the sand from flowing into the creek,” she said, adding that the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) must be urgently consulted and action should be taken to prevent further damage to the eco-sensitive area.
The report has called for replacing the felled trees, saying that trees endemic to the area including the dune vegetation still seen in small patches be restored and allowed to proliferate.
The report has called for an immediate stop to the concretization of the adjoining beach areas while suggesting that the GSBB must be roped in to develop an aesthetic greener environment around the beach.
