Keshav Naik,TNN | Nov 5, 2014, 12.30 AM ISTMAPUSA: The clearing of a vast area of sand dunes at Tembwada, Morjim, very close to the protected turtle-nesting site and also close to where traditional fishermen park their canoes and fishing equipment, has upset locals. The developer, on Monday, used earthmoving machinery to clear the dunes that are nature's line of defense against the sea's erosive tidal action.
Following a call from locals, the deputy collector directed the Pernem police to stop the work. Four labourers were arrested for clearing the dunes. Morjim sarpanch Mandar Poke, local panch Anuradha Morje and other panch members and panchayat officials were also present. The talathi conducted the panchanama of the destruction of sand dunes and told TOI that the report will be sent to higher authorities.
Sources said the developer has been clearing the dunes for a while now and has no valid permissions for the same. Huts, a restaurant and a jetty have already come up at the site. Last week, the Morjim panchayat sent the developer a notice to stop the work, but, the work continued on a war-footing, said sources.
The beaches of Morjim, Mandrem and Ashvem, are designated turtle-nesting sites under CRZ notification 2011. But since the last three years, flippered visitors surfacing in search of a place to lay their eggs have been finding the sands too hostile, thanks to loud tourist-related activities, including music and fashion shows, in the area.
"Shacks, restaurants, and bars on the beach cause big disturbances and the number of Olive Ridley turtle nests at Morjim has gone down from 31 in 2003 to 3 in 2014. The present development work is a direct attack on the turtles which are recognized as vulnerable by the IUCN red list," a turtle lover from Morjim said.
The entire coastal stretch of Morjim used to be protected by a stretch of 5-6m-tall sand dunes covered with vegetation. But, over the years, many hoteliers and restaurateurs, in the name of tourism, have been flattening these dunes, which has led to the beach being massively eroded today.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Developer-flattens-vast-stretch-of-Morjims-sand-dunes/articleshow/45039739.cms
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