MARGAO
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte’s weekend visit to the world-famous Colva beach has thrown up a simple question “ will the new Tourism Minister walk the talk and restore Colva to its pristine glory?
Khaunte’s visit was specifically related to sea erosion witnessed at Colva, which further threatens to erode large parts of the beach belt. He even promised to put a beach development plan in place within a year to make Colva an iconic beach and the most preferred tourist destination.
He, however, was flooded with a host of issues, be it the illegal migrant hawkers, discharge of sewage into the Colva creek, the non-functioning lamps, the strays menace, uncleared garbage from the beach square et al.
While Tourism Director Nikhil Desai noted down the grievances of the stakeholders, including local MLA Venzy Viegas, Khaunte has a task cut out -- to walk the talk and bring about a turnaround and resolve the issue plaguing the world-famous beach.
Sewage discharge
The Tourism Minister reminded that restaurant and hotel owners are responsible for taking care of the sewage generated in their establishments. He, however, agreed to extend a helping hand to the owners if that helps to put an end to the sewage discharge in Colva creek and the contamination of the waters. As a purely temporary measure, Benaulim MLA Venzy suggested to the Tourism Minister to get the operator of the STP installed at the beach to accept the sewage generated by the restaurants. The operator has agreed, in principle, to accept the sewage on the condition that only washroom water will be accepted by the STP.
Migrant hawkers menace
When a group of migrant hawkers were spotted around on the beach, the Tourism Minister said he felt ashamed that the illegal hawkers were moving freely when hawkers and touts are barred from doing business on the beach belt. Locals pointed out that Khaunte’s predecessor Manohar Ajgaonkar too had issued repeated warnings to the hawkers and touts, but the fiat hardly had any impact on the ground.
“We only hope that the Tourism Minister walk the talk and get the Tourism police to crack a whip against the illegal hawkers,” remarked a resident.
Beach illumination
When the Tourism Minister’s attention was drawn to the illumination lamp poles sans lamps, Khaunte questioned his Tourism Director Nikhil Desai to explain the state of affairs. Someone sought to explain to him by replying that the lamps have all fallen after being hit by strong winds. Earlier, local MLA Venzy had alleged substandard works by the contractor. While Khaunte was not averse to ordering a probe into the beautification works executed at Colva beach, locals wondered whether the Minister would walk the talk and fix responsibility.
Stray cattle and dogs
When the Tourism Minister with Director Nikhil and others were on the beach to take stock of the sea erosion, strays made their presence felt right at the entrance, as if they were welcoming hordes of visitors to the beach.
While Khaunte made no mention of the strays as he promised to bring about a turnaround in the amenities, the issue of strays plaguing the Colva beach remains unresolved.
Culverts under strain
The two culverts that facilitate visitors to the Colva beach have come under strain. Khaunte had a close look at the crater on one of the culverts. The railings of the culvert have also given way. The moot question, however, remains unanswered “ what had prevented the Tourism department to get the line departments to repair the culverts, more so when thousands of visitors walk over them to make it to the beach every day.
Sea erosion goes on unabated, JCB deployed to make way for waters
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Heavy machinery moved in on the Colva beach on Monday evening with sea erosion showed no signs of abating.
As the sea erosion threatened to further cause damage to the coast around the Children’s park and the northern portion of the beach, heavy machinery made its presence felt on the beach, apparently to excavate the sand bar and make way for the creek waters to enter the sea.
The heavy machinery was deployed since the sea erosion that hit the Colva beach after the creek waters changed its course for the first time in nearly four decades devastated the coast near the Children’s park.
When The Goan team visited the Colva beach on Monday evening, the machinery was on the job to excavate the sand bar to make way for the creek waters to enter the sea.
Locals pointed out that the beach stretch near the Children’s park and further on the northern side has been further eroded on Monday caused by the heavy rains.
Fishermen fear their huts, canoes may wash into sea
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Colva-based fishermen appeared a worried lot as there’s no stop to the unprecedented sea erosion seen at the world-famous beach for the last 10 days.
They fear that not only the beach, but their huts and canoes may be washed into the sea if the erosion is not stopped forthwith by the authorities.
A traditional fisherman Agnel Anton pointed out that the coast may be wiped out if the protective wall caves in due to erosion.
“We have our huts and canoes on the shore. They may be simply washed into the sea if the current erosion continues,” he said.
Anton added: “What we have witnessed so far is just the beginning. Today, the coast was hit by cyclonic winds and heavy rains. But, at least two more cyclones will hit the coast in the coming days. The authorities have to take the issue on priority before a disaster strikes the Colva coast in the coming days,” he said.
Anton made a fervent plea to the Tourism department and the Fisheries department and others to intervene on priority and save the coast and the very livelihood of the traditional fishermen.
