Goans turning away from beaches

PANAJI — An increasing number of Goans, who had enjoyed a visit to the beaches in the past, are beginning to feel alienated from the beaches because of the overwhelming presence of tourists and tourist-related businesses and the resulting chaos in the seashore environment.

For ages, Goans have enjoyed the serene beauty of the beaches while they came for relaxation any time of the year or to take sea bath during the summer season, but the inflow of large number of tourists over the years from different parts of the country as well as abroad has changed the scenario on the Goan beaches with locals now having to struggle to find places.

With Goa gaining fame as a beach tourist destination over past two to three decades, Goan entrepreneurs who took to tourism-related businesses have changed the scene on the beaches, with a large number of beach shacks, beds and umbrellas being put up resulting in scarce place for native Goans who enjoyed beaches freely before.

A resident of Marcela, Mr Pandurang Tilve, who had come for annual bathing at the Miramar beach, said that the scenario has changed from what it was during the olden times. He attributed this change to an increase in population, which has increased by over three times than it was during liberation time, and boom in tourism. He pointed out that Miramar beach was still better because there were no beach beds and shacks causing hindrance to the movement of the people.

However, Mr Shaikh Abdul Latif from Ribandar, who has also come for bathing along with his family, said that even Miramar has not remained the same as it was some years back. He said that tourists are nuisance who have spoilt the beaches.

Many felt that the scenario on beaches in the state is turning grimmer and making it difficult to move about, sit and enjoy a bath or relaxation.

Shacks, beach beds, umbrellas, water sports and allied activities at Calangute, often referred to as the queen of beaches in Goa and now a prime beach destination for tourists, has prompted many Goans to look out for quieter destinations, which are hard to find.

“We have been frequently coming to Calangute for more than two decades for bathing but over the past 10 years or so we find that the beach has been congested and one can hardly move about freely,” said Mr Mahadev Naik (name changed) from Bicholim. The place has not only changed but has also lost its charm, he added.

Likewise, many other places in North Goa and South Goa have also undergone transformation over the years; even lesser frequented beaches becoming overcrowded in far-off places like Arambol, Morjim, which have almost lost their local rootings and touch

Courtesy:navahindtimes.com

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