Police intervention was required on Sunday night to put an end to a major disturbance at Vagator beach in Goa, where a group of individuals were bursting firecrackers dangerously close to a protected Olive Ridley turtle nesting site.
Locals Plead as Group Ignores Warnings
According to local residents, the trouble began when a group staying at a nearby hotel began setting off large quantities of firecrackers right next to the sensitive nesting area. Despite repeated pleas from concerned locals, the group refused to stop their activities.
Felly Gomes, a resident, stated that the group partied late into the night near the demarcated eco-sensitive zone. "They played loud music and burst firecrackers, posing a direct danger to the eco-sensitive zone," Gomes said. He added that the offenders were lighting multi-shot crackers directly on the beach sand.
A Pattern of Disturbances at Sensitive Habitat
This recent incident is not an isolated one. Gomes pointed out that similar threats to the nesting turtles have occurred before. In January, a Range Forest Officer had written to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) flagging the issue of a hotel using powerful laser lights that could disorient and harm the nesting turtles.
Furthermore, in June, a forest officer wrote to the North Goa Deputy Collector formally requesting action to halt all disruptive activities near the critical nesting sites. These repeated official communications highlight the ongoing struggle to protect this vulnerable wildlife habitat.
Police Action Ends the Nuisance
After the local community's attempts to reason with the group failed, they had no choice but to call the authorities. The police arrived at the scene and finally managed to stop the nuisance, bringing a tense situation under control.
The incident underscores the persistent challenges in safeguarding eco-sensitive coastal areas in popular tourist destinations like Goa. The nesting season for Olive Ridley turtles is a critical period, and disturbances from noise, light, and human activity can have devastating effects on their breeding success.
