Goa plans to clear tar balls before monsoons
PTI, PANAJI | 05 June 2015 20:08 IST
The Goa government has stepped up efforts to clear out depositions of sticky tar balls that are seen all along the beaches in the state from Sinquerim to Pallolem ahead of monsoons.
"We have activated all lifeguards, beach?cleaning contractors and police personnel to monitor and report to the department, areas affected by tar ball depositions," state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said today.
The tourism department has also constituted two special response teams,?one each for North and South Goa, comprising of an assistant tourist officer and two?information assistants.
"The teams have been tasked to inspect and ensure that the beaches are?cleaned up wherever reports are received of tar ball depositions," said Director of Tourism Amey Abhyankar.
The beach cleaning contractors have also been directed to ensure immediate collection and proper storage of tar balls which have to be thereafter handed over to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for scientific disposal.
This pre-monsoon phenomenon of tar balls blackening Goa's shores is being looked into very seriously by the tourism department and GSPCB, and reports are being sought from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) which is studying the weathering patterns vis-a-vis tar ball depositions on Goa's coastline, Abhyankar added.
The Tourism Ministry is also exploring the possibility of introducing mechanical methods of cleaning the coastline of tar balls which will be expeditious and effective.
Currently the process is carried out manually and is cumbersome owing to weather conditions, the Director said.
The government is concerned over the problem of tar ball depositions on its beach belt and does not want any adverse impact on its environment, coastal waters, marine life and pristine beaches which are thronged by tourists even during monsoons?to experience raindrop tourism, the Director added.
