PANAJI
A hotel in Morjim -- Ms UKIYO Beach Resort -- could come under punitive fire from multiple government agencies for allegedly holding parties and activity which disturbs a nearby Olive Ridley turtle nesting site.
After delegating powers to act under the Forest Act to the Collectors, TCP and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane is also exploring other means including suspending the enterprise's licence under the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for its actions becoming a source of disturbance to the turtle nesting site.
Rane has also issued instructions to Forest department officials to take quick action against night parties being organised anywhere near the site. The action comes in the wake of a party organised there last weekend, less than hundred meters from the site.
“When it comes to conservation vis-a-vis turtle nesting, the Forest Conservation Act has a specific provision. Action will be taken under it," Rane said.
Providing protective cover to Olive Ridley Turtles nesting on Goa's beaches has been a programme the Goa Forest Department has been actively promoting at least on four stretches of the coast at Morjim and Ashvem in the North and Agonda-Galgibaga in the South since the early 2000's.
