MARGAO
With visitors and tourists on a decline and fishing and water sports activities coming to a halt, Salcete’s beach belt has begun to wear a deserted look.
Even before CM Pramod Sawant could announce a curfew, which is expected to come into effect from Sunday, the picturesque Benaulim beach appeared deserted for want of visitors and other activities.
The traditional fishermen have stopped going on the shore to place their rampons (traditional nets), while water sports owners have also decided to drop anchor given the Covid situation.
When The Goan team visited the Benaulim beach on Saturday noon, a lone lifeguard was found sitting atop a tower, which is used in normal times to monitor the movement and maintain a close watch on visitors entering the sea.
The surge of Covid -19 cases across the country is having a telling effect on Goa’s tourism.
Traditional fishermen are also staying away from the sea for the moment. Fisherman Pele Fernandes said they have stopped casting their rampons in the sea because of the Covid situation. “Whenever we cast our nets for fishing, our colleagues from neighbouring villages came and helped us to pull the net. But the Covid situation has changed all that,” Pele said.
Pele, who runs water sports activities on the Benaulim beach, said the owners have decided to anchor their vessels because of the prevalent situation. “Normally, water sports activities used to end on May 31, but we have already stopped these for a fortnight now,” he added.
Sources said the situation along the entire Salcete coastal belt is no different with various stakeholders winding their businesses early.
