Finds uncollected waste strewn on coast, burnt garbage, damaged walls of culverts at entrance
MARGAO
Inspection of the Colva beach on Wednesday has revealed uncollected garbage strewn on the beach belt, burnt waste, damaged walls of the culverts at the entrance to the beach et al.
That’s not all. The team also found to its shock and surprise that the STP of the newly-installed public toilets was not in operation. And, when the contractor switched on the STP, it was found in running condition, but the area was enveloped by an unbearable sewage odour.
The joint inspection was carried out by the petitioner in the 2011 Public Interest Litigation, Judith Almeida, and officials of the Tourism department and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).
As the team went around the beach, they came across garbage dumped on the banks of the creek and traces of burnt waste.
The Tourism official later conceded that the team stumbled upon garbage dumped near the vegetation, besides traces of the burnt waste.
He, however, pointed out that when the toilet contractor was told to switch on the STP at the beach, it was found in running condition.
The petitioner, Judith, however, claimed that the STP was not being operated by the contractor, claiming that untreated sewage finds its way into the Colva creek, further contaminating the water body.
She has called for a surprise inspection of the STP by officials to ensure that the contractor operates the plant at all times. She also raised the question of overcharging of visitors using the toilets, saying the tourists will only take back bitter memories of their visit to the world-famous beach.
“I will draw the attention of the High Court in my affidavit which will be filed in the court on June 20. The authorities are also mandated to file a status report on the Colva STP under construction and the status of the creek”, she said.
When the team found uncollected waste on the beach, Judith demanded to know from the Tourism officials whether Colva can attract high spending tourists in such a scenario.
“What we need in Colva are high spending tourists. Will such tourists come to the world-famous beach if they find garbage and stink around,” she wondered.
On the newly-laid infrastructure at the entrance to the Colva beach under the Swadesh Dharshan scheme, Judith demanded to know whether the concrete seating arrangements put in place at the entrance will be ever used when there’s no tree cover around.
“Will any local or tourists spend their time on the seating arrangement from morning to evening under the hot sun? For whom was this infrastructure laid?” she asked, pointing out that the newly-laid infrastructure has only left the environment and bio-diversity damaged.
