Daijiworld Media Network - Canacona

Canacona, Aug 3: Two incidents of vehicles entering beach areas in Canacona taluka were reported despite the statewide ban on driving on beaches, prompting action by the tourism department.

In the first incident, Gopal Kusalkar was found driving a Maharashtra-registered vehicle on Agonda beach. Local residents stopped the vehicle before it could get stuck in the sand. Kusalkar reportedly told them that he had been misled by some villagers who informed him that a parking facility was located beyond the beach.

In the second incident, Melanka Vaz was driving on the road alongside the beach when her car veered off the road and its front wheels became stuck in the sand. Unable to reverse the vehicle back onto the road, the incident led some locals to initially suspect that she was attempting to drive onto the beach.

Canacona police conducted a preliminary inquiry in both cases, impounded the vehicles and handed them over to the tourism department.

The vehicles were later released to their owners after fines were imposed for violating the prohibition on driving on beaches.

Environmentalist Shubham Komarpant said driving on beaches is a matter of serious concern, pointing out that Agonda and Galgibaga are ecologically sensitive coastal habitats and designated turtle nesting sites where vehicle movement can disturb wildlife and damage the fragile ecosystem.