Goa Tourism Dept. to clear crap, Calangute Panchayat to catch cows.

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Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service
& circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network
(GOA CAN)<goadesc-0VrrOzQoB60xpvK4C0GaPQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Ph:2252660
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Stray cattle 'colonise' Baga beach, irk tourists
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by Joaquim Fernandes

While we certainly score high in tourism promotion, we still have to
tighten up on tourism maintenance. While the controversy of stray dogs
rages on, the menace of stray cattle harassing tourists on the beach
is yet to evoke much response from authorities.

Sullying Goa's reputation as a tourist destination, hordes of cows
and bulls daily colonise Baga beach. And as if the irksome "Lamani"
vendors were not enough, the cattle potter about the sunbathing foreigners
nosing around for food to eat and depositing cakes of dung in the white sand.

Surely, the foreigners are getting much more of nature then we promised
in our tourism brochures. It is important to point out that compared to many
other beaches in the state, Baga is crowded with foreign tourists.

Local Goan businessmen operating near the beach are sorely embarrassed.
They say that the cattle menace on the beach is not new and are unable to
understand why in this age and time, corrective steps are not being taken
to ensure our guests get a hassle-free holiday. The worst scenario is
when the dung is washed by waves into the water sending swimmers into a tizzy.

When contacted, Director of Tourism, Mr Suryanarayan admitted he had seen
the menace. But he said that clearing the cattle from the beach is the work
of the concerned panchayat. "The panchayat has the necessary powers
and this is clearly mentioned in the Municipalities and Panchayat Raj Act."

Mr Suryanarayan said that the department would finalise the beach-cleaning
contract within a week. "We can clean the beach but driving the cattle away
is not within my jurisdiction," he said. He, however, promised to write to the
panchayat and to take some action if they failed.

The Calangute sarpanch, Mr Joseph Sequeira, admitted that removal
of the cattle from the beach is his responsibility. "We are awaiting the
Bardez Block Development Officer's (BDO) response regarding our plan
to set up a cattle pound. A reminder has been sent to him and he has
to advise us regarding the modalities of setting up of the cattle pound.
We have already identified a place for the same at Agarwaddo, Calangute."

The BDO, Mr D S Morajkar said he had already replied to the sarpanch
asking him "to refer to the Goa, Daman and Diu (Cattle Pound) Rules,
1972 which are self-explanatory and are in force till date."
He has also asked for compliance within 15 days.

Apart from Calangute panchayat's positive intent, the Director of
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Dr Fernando Furtado
informed that the government has finalised a scheme whereby cattle
on the beaches (also on roads) will be impounded and taken to the
government cattle farm at Kalay, Sanguem. "Tenders will be floated
and a private contractor will be appointed for the job. Preference will
be given to NGOs who are already working in the animal-help field,"
said Dr Furtado.

The only catch here is that the scheme will take another six months
to function. While tourists and businessmen console themselves with
"better late then never." Hope also arises from the fact that this
is a two-pronged approach; by the local Panchayat and by the Animal Husbandry.

Mr Manik Thaly, a Panaji-based lawyer and volunteer of the State Animal
Welfare Board also agrees that cattle cause nuisance on the beach.
"But it is not the fault of the animals. Today, they have no grazing 
grounds left,"
says Mr Thaly. He is confident that the beaches will be cleared within a 
short time
once the government scheme becomes operational.

But in six months from now the tourism season will have ended.
For this season, tourists will simply have to grin and bear and hope
that next season will be a better one. If we remember to deliver
all that we promise, that is.
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The Navhind Times 23/11/02 page 1
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What's On In Goa (WOIG): 
Nov 06 Children's book exhibn opens, Walkabout, Anjuna... (all weekdays)
Nov 06 ArtHouse, Calangute: Chaitali's acrylics on canvas till 19.11
Nov 07 Revision of electoral rolls (till Nov 30) See schedule.
Dec 01 Two day conference, Goa Agenda. IT For Society. (Ends 2.12) 
Every Sunday: Music therapy sessions at Moira, 5 pm. 278, N.Portugal

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