This is reference to recent pollution on Goa's beaches due to appearance of tar balls (blobs of solidified tar). It is quite obvious with this recurring phenomenon that we in India do not have stringent maritime laws or the mechanism to implement the feeble laws that are in place. We are now in the 21st century but our maritime laws (just as criminal or civil laws) are of 19th Century and hence not in sync with the commerce and trade of 21st century. It is ironical that India is aiming to conquer Space and Moon when we don't even have control over our Land and Sea.
Goa's economy is directly or indirectly dependent on sea. 70 percent of Goan population survival depends on how we manage our marine and sea coast environment. It is depressing to see the State of Goa is not in control of its land or resources even after gaining Statehood 23 years ago. Marmagoa Port is under occupation of MPT. Dabolim Airport is under occupation of Navy and thousand of hacters of land is with the Army. The Forest area is looted and plundered by illegal mining mafia. The western shoreline in now more of sore line and under control real estate sharks. We have MPT whose primary objective seems to mint money by encouraging old rusted cargo ships to call Marmagoa Port. There are hundreds of ship marooned off Marmagoa Port some for loading Iron ore and some just idling and discharging waste into the sea. There is no one to monitor these ships which spills chemical & oil (fuel/lub etc), which result in environmental damage to life & property. Frequently, there is chemical and oily water discharge in the marine environment which not only pollutes the beaches but also endangers the marine life. As the port operator it does very little to stop/control any of the spills/pollution within the territorial waters of Goa.Navy or coast Guard the guardian of our territorial boundaries is as clue less as MPT and has not shown any interest in protection of Goa's sea cost. Oil spills and chemical discharge at high seas by the marooned/passing vessel must be treated as act of terrorism. If people with arms and ammunition kill the people so are these ships which kill and endanger the marine life and destroy biodiversity of the state. In the last decade, the Goa-based NIO has discovered and explored three wrecks, which includes a 17th century merchant ship, known to be the oldest underwater wreck traced in the seas off India. Thanks to government apathy Goa's underwater heritage is gnawed by the rouge treasure hunters. If none of these organizations can protect or help the people of Goa of this menace, why we need them? I hope people of Goa will take resonance of these facts when they select the next government. Agnelo Pinheiro Raia/Dubai
