Coastline Is Most Prone To Pollution In 1st Week Of Jan

An India-UN survey has revealed that solid waste disposed off on the beaches of Sindhudurg is voluminous enough to pose a serious threat to the district’s rich marine biodiversity. What is true there is true in the rest of coastal Maharashtra as well. It is in winter, especially in January, that tourists in large numbers descend on the beaches of Devgad, Malvan and Vengurla—three talukas that are the state’s prime holiday destinations.

MARGAO: The Goa State Pollution Control Board and Health officials on Thursday inspected waste water discharged in the fields at Colva on Thursday.

Following a complaint from activist Judith Almeida, Goa State Pollution Control Board and health officials descended at Colva and collected water samples from the fields and storm water drains. Almeida said that sewage waste is being discharged in the drains, which has now found its way in the fields, which then flows into the Colva creek.

Tourists Found Littering Will Be Fined 500

Rajkot: The Diu administration has decided to ban the of plastics on the island spread over an area of 38.8 square km from this New Year onwards. Those found dumping plastic waste will be fined Rs 500 under various sections of Environment Protection Act, 1971. So tourists planning a New Year bash at Diu and in the habit of dumping plastic bags, water bottles and pouches on the beaches and roads, beware!

Panaji: A Goa beach village now wants tourists to carry back the garbage they generate while having a ball on the beach.

Adyar Creek’s gain is Foreshore Estate’s loss in this green move that seems to have gone terribly wrong.

The Public Works Department is now dumping construction debris, ordered to be removed by the National Green Tribunal from the Adyar Creek estuary, in Foreshore Estate, on the beach near Srinivasapuram. Truckloads of debris from the creek is now being dumped on the beach to level it so that the Ganesha idols could be immersed, said a contractor, who has been given the licence to clear the debris from the estuary.

Gujarat Ecology Commission’s Survey Of 19 Coastal Spots Rings Alarm

Gandhinagar: Coastal tourism in Gujarat is proving to be a non-starter. More than the economic downturn, the main reason for this is the gross mismanagement of numerous beaches dotting the state’s huge coastline of 1,600 km. Experts who carried out a recent study of 19 major beaches along the state’s coastline have taken strong exception to complete mismanagement on the part of authorities towards the development of coastal tourism. The study is featured in a book which was released recently by the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC).

PANJIM: Union Tourism Ministry has come to Goa’s rescue by expressing its willingness to fund the development of tourism infrastructure upto Rs 150 crore, subject to fund utilization and has called on the State to determine its activities according to its carrying capacity.

Union Secretary for Tourism, R H Kwaja announced this at a meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and other officials on Tuesday.

The district pollution control board has issued a fiat in respect of using idols for the vinayaka chathurthi festival here.

The PCB has forbidden public from using dyed or painted idols and they are requested to use only clay idols. Idols must not be immersed in beach or lakes and it must be done 500 meters into the sea. The PCB has identified following sites for immersion.

PANJIM: In an official admission of the gradual devastation of the Goa coastline, the Water Resources Department in its Performance Budget presented before the Goa legislative assembly has admitted that 25 per cent of state’s shoreline is affected with erosion caused by the sea.

The document tabled on the floor of the House Tuesday has mentioned that 25.02 km shoreline is affected with sea erosion.

MARGAO: Shack Owners Welfare Society has slammed the reported decision of the Goa State Pollution Control Board that shacks should not be allowed on the beaches unless there’s a solution to the garbage problem.

Reacting to media reports, Society President Cruz Cardozo questioned the rationale behind the GSPCB decision, demanding to know whether the Pollution Board would order closure of all hotels along the coast pending a solution to the garbage issue.