MAPUSA
Amid growing discontent, the popular Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival Sunburn is facing increased opposition in North Goa.
After Camurlim village rejected a proposal to host the festival, speculations have emerged that it could be moved to Anjuna.
However, a quiet but mounting resistance to mega musical events and rave parties is gaining momentum across the coastal belt.
Led by local activists Desmond Alvares and Dr Inacio Fernandes, residents of several coastal villages have initiated a signature campaign, calling for a ban on events like Sunburn.
The villagers argue that such festivals are harmful to Goa’s environment and cultural heritage.
In a memorandum addressed to local authorities, they have appealed for an end to these events, citing concerns about drug use, environmental damage and the disruption of local traditions.
THE FIGHT FOR
GOAN CULTURE
“Goa has a unique and vulnerable culture,” said Desmond Alvares, one of the key figures in the campaign. “We’ve seen our villages transform into hubs for big-ticket events like Sunburn, India Bike Week, and Rider Mania. These events do not respect our traditions or way of life. They coincide with our festive season and undermine our cultural ethos.”
Alvares, like many others in the coastal belt, believes that mega music festivals threaten Goa's deeply rooted traditions.
The memorandum highlights the fact that Goa's population is small, and its cultural fabric is easily disrupted by the influx of tourists drawn to these events, which are often fueled by drugs and excessive partying.
IMPACT ON
ENVIRONMENT
The environmental impact of these mega-events is another key concern.
Dr Inacio Fernandes, co-leader of the campaign, pointed out that Goa lies within the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot with a fragile ecosystem.
“Even small changes can have a significant impact,” he said. “The ripple effect of these large-scale events is devastating. Our plants, animals, and local ecology are all at risk,” he added.
Fernandes argues that tourism in Goa was once a sustainable industry, benefiting the local community.
However, the rise of commercial mega-events has shifted this balance.
The memorandum also draws attention to the strain these events put on Goa’s infrastructure.
During festivals like Sunburn, the influx of thousands of tourists overwhelms local resources.
DARK SIDE
OF SUNBURN
Critics of Sunburn and similar EDM festivals argue that they attract a negative crowd, leading to an increase in drug-related incidents.
Several deaths have been reported during Sunburn festivals over the years, allegedly due to drug overdoses.
“Sunburn has been one of the biggest negative influences on our society. People come here looking for psychotropic substances and the authorities are struggling to control it,” Dr Fernandes said.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has also expressed concern, holding the government and autonomous bodies responsible for failing to act against illegal activities that occur during these festivals
CALL FOR ACTION
The signature campaign, which has already garnered over 500 supporters, aims to pressure the State government to stop sanctioning events like Sunburn, TVS Motosol, Bollywood events, India Bike Week, and Rider Mania – not just in Camurlim or Anjuna, but across the entire State.
The organizers of the campaign plan to present their memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other key authorities in the coming weeks.
“We want the government to shift its focus towards sustainable tourism, respect the rights of residents and preserve the unique cultural identity of Goa,” said Alvares.
As the campaign against mega-music events gathers momentum, the voices of Goa’s coastal residents are becoming harder to ignore.
Whether the government will heed their call remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the people of North Goa are determined to reclaim their villages and protect the Goan way of life for future generations.
