MARGAO
Taking cognisance of the destruction of the sand dune at Varca, deputy Collector, Mohd Shabir, Mamlatdar Vimod Dalal, Varca Sarpanch, Flavia Barretto along with panchayat members conducted inspection of the sand dune.
The inspection was attended by the Talathi, ex-Sarpanch Salesiana, tourism personnel, Frank Rodrigues and others.
The Varca village panchayat has sent a written complaint to the Tourism, Police as well as the CRZ authorities drawing their attention to the unlawful interference with a significant portion of an existing primary sand dune located in Pedda, Varca.
Saying that the illegal activity has been carried out reportedly by an unknown individual, the Sarpanch in her complaint has said this activity is in direct violation of coastal regulatory norms and poses a serious threat to the fragile coastal ecosystem.
The Sarpanch had requested the authorities to register an offence, conduct an immediate site inspection, and initiate necessary corrective and punitive measures to prevent any further damage to this ecologically sensitive area.
The Pedda area of Varca had witnessed an uproar during the weekend after local residents protested over the destruction of the sand dune by unknown persons reportedly for the drainage of water from the adjoining Handi (water body) into the sea.
While slamming the illegal activity, the locals contended that sea water has entered the land in the last two days, fearing destruction of their paddy fields if there is no stop the entry of saline sea water into the low lying areas.
