MARGAO
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) stand that wedding celebrations must wind up by 10 pm under the existing noise pollution rules has triggered widespread resentment across the Salcete countryside.
Sarpanchas from Salcete’s tourism belt “ stretching from Cavelossim, Varca and Benaulim “ have strongly objected to the sound restrictions, urging the government to exempt weddings and traditional festivals from the sound restriction.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, Benaulim Sarpanch Xavier Pereira, Carmona Sarpanch Sandra Fernandes, Varca Sarpanch Flavia Baretto and Orlim Sarpanch Simon Pereira condemned the GSPCB’s stand, stating that it does not augur well for Goan traditional weddings and cultural festivities.
Calling the GSPCB Chairman’s remarks “shocking”, Dixon Vaz said the blanket enforcement of the 10 pm deadline threatens Goa’s cultural fabric. “It was indeed shocking to hear the GSPCB Chairman say that music at weddings has to stop by 10 pm. To be clear, I am not in favour of late-night or early-morning music or dance-bar culture. However, weddings deserve certain exemptions,” he said.
Vaz alleged that the police were “unnecessarily harassing” people over wedding celebrations. “This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Otherwise, one day our rich culture will become extinct,” he warned.
The sarpanchas also raised concerns over the recent sealing of restaurants and business establishments along the Salcete coastal belt following the Birch fire tragedy. They said multiple departments “ including the Fire Services, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and GST “ have been conducting inspections and ordering immediate shutdowns.
“The government must understand that unlike the North Goa coastal belt, most of the small hotels and restaurants in Salcete are owned and run by locals,” Vaz said. “If shortcomings are found, authorities should give owners a reasonable time to comply. Sealing establishments is not a sustainable approach and will hurt local entrepreneurs in the long run.”
The sarpanchas have called upon the State government to strike a balance between regulation and the preservation of Goa’s cultural traditions and local livelihoods.
