With a drastic rise in the number of tourists on the beaches of Goa, which amounts to nearly 28 lakh tourists per year, cleanliness is a major concern. As a result of this, Goa Tourism has taken an initiative to form a comprehensive management of Cleanliness on all the beach stretches across the state. This will be an integrated system comprising cleaning of beaches with mechanical and manual means wherever necessary, giving utmost priority to environment protection and pollution control of the sand and water. Other parameters like hygiene and complete cleanliness of nearly 40 beaches across North and South Goa will also fall under this.
The garbage that is collected will be segregated into categories such as – glass and metal, paper and cardboard and other bio-degradable substances and plastic and non-recyclable waste before its safe disposal. The system will also provide well-maintained litter bins at an interval of every 100 meters for the benefit of tourists.
Nikhil Desai, Director, Department of Tourism said, “Goa Tourism has taken special efforts to ensure that all the requirements of this scientific garbage disposal from the beaches have been met, which includes protection of live creatures, tetrapods, marine life, marine vegetation, turtle nesting sites, micro flora and micro fauna, in and around the beaches. Strict vigil and a daily reporting system will be undertaken to ensure this.”
Combing of wet and dry sands of the beaches with the help of beach cleaning machines and also manually, depending on the population on the beach, will be carried out on a daily basis ensuring that the beach beds are clean, safe for barefoot walkers. Special efforts will be made to clean the beaches soon after idol immersions, beach weddings, film shooting or any other tourism related activity.
With these measures, Goa Tourism seeks to provide a clean and hassle free experience to thousands of tourists visiting the state and will further look at improving the profile of its visitors.
