The state forest and tourism departments have opposed a music and dance festival scheduled for May 25 near a turtle nesting site at Morjim Beach in the North Goa district.
The Lantern Festival, also known as Glow Fest, is planned for Saturday at Morjim beach, which has been designated as a turtle nesting site.
The festival, organised by private entities, will feature live music, dance performances, and other activities. People can participate in a lantern-lighting ceremony.
State Tourism Director Suneel Anchipaka, in a statement released on Thursday, said his department had not received any application from the organisers seeking permissions.
"Necessary action has been initiated in this regard. We have been focusing on promoting regenerative tourism and shall not allow any event that threatens the ecology or the environment," Anchipaka said.
Earlier today, Deputy Conservator of Forest Prem Kumar wrote a letter to the secretary of the state environment department, highlighting that the forest department operates a turtle hatchery nearby. He mentioned that the entire stretch of the Morjim beach serves as a nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles.
Kumar pointed out that the festival near the site would violate the rules of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. He also mentioned that the Range Forest Officer, Marine Range, Wildlife and Eco-tourism (North), Goa, had already sent letters to the Member Secretary, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, and the Police Inspector, Morjim.
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