Tar balls continue to defile beaches

Margao: Deposits of tar balls along South Goa’s coast have continued to increase as larger stretches of the beaches wear a black layer of oily substance. The phenomenon of tar balls has become synonymous with pre-monsoon season as they make appearance.

Last month, locals and beach goers had noticed black oily substance floating in the water at certain places.

Later, it began depositing along the entire South Goa coastline from Cavelossim to Betalbatim and beyond.

As of last week, the tar ball deposits have worsened with a major part and large stretches especially along Benaulim, Sernabatim and Colva beaches wearing a layer of black oily matter.

This has become a nuisance making walking difficult as the oily tar balls stick to people’s footwear.

People on their evening runs at the beach have also found it difficult to exercise, many slipping on the oily sand surface or having to manoeuvre around the deposits.

Drishti lifeguards, who man the shores, also keep a watch on people due to presence of tar balls while the tourism department is also engaged with clearing the black matter on a daily basis.