Tourism ban proposed at Goa beach to save turtle nesting sites

The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has called for a complete ban on tourism activity at Galjibag beach in South Goa to protect the turtle nesting spots there.

The GCZMA in its recommendations said that tourism activity including erection of shacks should be banned at Galjibag beach, which is one of the prime shorelines of the state.

The authority has also proposed that fishing should be banned on this beach to protect Olive Ridley Turtles who arrive here to lay eggs.

The directives are part of management plan for the protection of turtle nesting sites which was drawn following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order.

The locals had approached NGT seeking directions to protect Olive Ridley Turtles arriving on the beach annually to lay the eggs.

The state government has already declared the site as protected area. The management plan by GCZMA mentions that the step is towards exploring the possibility of increasing the population of marine turtles in Galjibag area by protecting their nesting, feeding and wintering areas.

The plan speaks about the various kinds of human interference activities as major threat to the nesting sites, while recommending short term and long term measures for its conservation and protection.

The plan has also put a ban on speed boating and water sports activities in the area and has declared it as ‘No Boating’ zone.