The Southwest monsoons are finally here in all their glory. And it is at this time of the year that several seasonal waterfalls make their appearance, surging beautifully across lush mountains and sloping hills. But while there is something inherently exciting about a waterfall gushing down a hillside with full force and vigour, the piles of garbage you will inevitably find at each of these secluded locations serve as a rude wake up call.
On Sunday, July 23, close to 200 picnickers flocked to a waterfall in Morle-Sattari, trampling upon everything in their way as they trudged through private horticulture plantations, destroying newly-planted cashew saplings as well as fully grown trees. In their wake, they left all kinds of trash - empty bottles (both broken and otherwise), cans, plastic waste - behind. This is a common sight at most picnic spots, be it an out-of-the-way waterfall or any of Goa's famous beaches- picnickers cook, eat and enjoy the scenic beauty with ne'er a care for the rubbish they leave behind.
There are two ways out of this predicament. One, bringing in better civic sense and increased awareness so that such blatant defilement and disregard for property is brought to an end. Two, by providing easy access to garbage cans so as to discourage such careless behaviour. The responsibility of having a proper waste management system, after all, lies squarely in the hands of the local government.
