The Hindu : National : Goa's beaches of life and death

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 23, 2004

National

National

Goa's beaches of life and death

By Anil Sastry

PANAJI, JULY 22. A wave of deaths due to drowning is sweeping across Goa's high-profile beaches. In the last six months, 27 people have lost their lives. Goa has about 20 beaches that are frequented chiefly by tourists. For these, there are around 60 lifeguards engaged by the Tourism Department.

Following a drowning incident at the Calangute beach on July 19, the local MLA, Agnelo Fernandes, urged the Tourism Minister, Matanhy Saldanha, to prevent people from venturing into the sea during the current monsoon season. He demanded that those who try to enter the sea be booked under the legal provision concerning attempt to commit suicide. Raising the issue in the Assembly, Mr. Fernandes said that unless effective steps were taken to prevent accidents, the Tourism Department's slogan ``Go Goa 365 days'' will sound more like ``365 deaths.''

The Calangute belt, which comprises the Calangute, Sinquerim, Candolim, Baga and Baga Arpora beaches, has this year claimed 11 lives. The Palolem, Cavelossim and Morjim beaches have witnessed two lives each. The Bambolim, Miramar, Arambol, Ashvem, Vagator, Anjuna, Xalor and Kharewada beaches have seen one death each. The Calangute belt is a sought-after tourist destination. More than 20 lakh tourists visited the State during 2003, of which three lakh were foreigners.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National