MAPUSA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has come under sharp criticism after allegedly contradicting its own findings regarding the existence of sand dunes and sea turtle nesting activity at Vagator beach – a stretch that lies in proximity to a property owned by coastal MLA Michael Lobo.
The Anjuna–Caisua Biodiversity Management Committee has filed a formal complaint accusing the coastal authority of misleading higher authorities and suppressing scientific evidence.
Copies of the complaint have been sent to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the Chief Secretary, the GCZMA, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Goa State Biodiversity Board and MLAs Vijai Sardesai, Yuri Alemao and Viresh Borkar.
47 turtle nestings
Information obtained by the Committee under the RTI Act revealed that the Forest Department had recorded approximately 47 nesting instances of Olive Ridley turtles on Vagator beach between 2022 and 2025.
The Committee says this evidence clearly establishes the ecological significance of the site.
Despite this, the GCZMA submitted a report dismissing both the existence of sand dunes and the occurrence of turtle nesting on the beach.
Contradictions within GCZMA
Interestingly, in July this year, during the disposal of a complaint about illegal constructions at the beach, the Member Secretary of the GCZMA, Sachin Desai in his order stated that Vagator beach had no sand dunes and no record of nesting turtles.
The Biodiversity Management Committee has alleged that this position contradicts findings produced by experts engaged by the authority itself a year ago, as well as verified data from the Forest Department.
Committee members claim that the GCZMA may have come under “external pressure” to issue a report favourable to certain influential individuals.
“The GCZMA’s order is imprecise, given that the Wildlife & Eco-Tourism (North) division has documented Olive Ridley turtles coming ashore to nest on Vagator beach from 2020 to 2024,” said Committee Chairman Ramesh Naik.
Significantly, Survey No 354/1 – a plot situated on Vagator beach within the No Development Zone – is owned by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who has been granted approval to build cottages there.
Locals claim the permissions were issued under controversial circumstances and have challenged the matter to the High Court.
Push for turtle site
Ironically, Local MLA Delilah Lobo had last year written to the Forest Department seeking declaration of the Vagator–Anjuna stretch as a turtle nesting site.
With Olive Ridley turtles visiting the area annually, the Biodiversity Management Committee is now demanding that Vagator beach be officially declared a turtle nesting site.
The Committee has urged authorities to act on their complaint-cum-petition and initiate appropriate action against those responsible for issuing allegedly misleading reports.
