Curchorem: A team of naval personnel from the headquarters in Vasco on Saturday cleaned up the Nanda lake at Kakoda-Ghotmorod which is declared as Ramsar site by the central government.

The programme was held under the Punit Sagar Abhiyan. The team consisted of the senior-most officer from Indian Navy Commodore Prachet Panda Chief Staff Officer Naval Officer-in charge accompanied by Lieutenant commander Gaurav and other naval staff.

While some came by vehicles, others reached the site by cycling all the way from Vasco covering a distance of about 50 kms.

Speaking to mediapersons, Panda said under the Punit Sagar Abhiyan, the Naval staff till date has carried out seven cleanliness drives on western as well as eastern sea coast in Goa. Still they will be carrying out more such drives to keep environment clean, he said.

CCMC chairperson Dr. Jasmin Braganza said the Ramsar site comes under the civic body’s jurisdiction which is a pride for the residents. She thanked the naval staff for cleaning the Ramsar site by coming all the way from Vasco.

Local councillor and Curchorem BJP block president Vishwas Sawant also thanked the naval team for implementing Punit Sagar Abhiyan at Ramsar site and appealed to the people to keep the Ramsar site clean.

Later some locals informed that since the Nanda lake has been declared as Ramsar site, tourists will be flocking to the area. It has seen that some people visit the lake area during odd hours of the day and after enjoining the trip leave behind a lot of garbage including plastic bags and liquor bottles.

They have demanded that the concerned authorities depute guards at the site to keep a check on rowdy elements.