If there’s one thing that’s downright repulsive about visiting a new place, or any place for that matter, it is the sight of filth. And, in Goa, sadly that’s on the increase, being particularly inescapable in the local market areas.
Pass by certain sections of Panjim market at any given time of day, and the stench emanating from the mounds of piling garbage in the vicinity is generally strong enough to knock anyone unconscious, and almost seems to ensure that any tourist or traveller will know that he/she has reached the municipal market.
As if that wasn’t garbage enough, one wonders if the storm water drains bordering the roads at most locations in Goa, including the capital city, serve any practical purpose.
For a major part of the year, they appear to merely function as convenient trash cans for passers-by to dump snack wrappers, plastic bags etc for want of a garbage bin – or most likely due to a lack of civic sense.
Come the monsoons, and once flooded with rain water, these drains spew out their contents onto the roads. That’s anything but a pretty sight, although it will give tourists lasting memories of the unpleasant kind. And, God help anyone who accidentally falls into an open drain at night or during a heavy downpour.
Such drains were non-existent even up to the 1990s, and litter was little, which means that a spell of rains or even a cloudburst were hardly a cause for concern.
Garbage, whether piling or strewn around carelessly, is far more serious than an eyesore or taxing on the nostrils.
Garbage, whether piling or strewn around carelessly, is far more serious than an eyesore or taxing on the nostrils. It is a major source of a variety of illnesses, a breeding ground for insects, flies, cockroaches and rodents, leading to the spread of disease, some of which are known to be fatal.
The once pristine shores of Goa are not spared of litter, either, and regular beach clean ups around the state yield several sackloads of trash.
A lack of hygiene was also the root cause of the recent avoidable deaths of five migrant workers and infection of another 163 at the Cutbona Jetty.
A lack of hygiene was also the root cause of the recent avoidable deaths of five migrant workers and infection of another 163 at the Cutbona Jetty.
Time and again, surveys conducted in India and abroad have indicated that cleanliness is among the decisive factors when choosing a travel destination.
A recent Tripadvisor study revealed that cleanliness was one of the main criteria for tourists when it comes to choosing accommodation and travel experiences, with a whopping 92 percent of travellers revealing that cleanliness was most important when deciding accommodation.
In 2002, the Government of India had announced a New Tourism Policy to give a fillip to the tourism sector. The policy focused on the 7-S mantra of Swaagat (welcome) Soochanaa (information), Suvidhaa (facilitation), Surakshaa (security), Sahyog (cooperation), Sanrachnaa (infrastructure) and Safaai (cleanliness).
However, as far as Goa is concerned, not enough is being done on the cleanliness front, which is evident from a recent survey.
In the latest Swachh Survekshan ranking among 27 states in the country, Goa tumbled from the 10th position in 2022 to the 13th position in 2023, which is a little worrying for both, residents as well as tourists. (Swachh Survekshan is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation across the country).
So, what it is that the other states are doing right that Goa is not? Perhaps Goa can take a cue from places such as Indore, which has been judged the cleanest city an impressive 6 times in a row.
And, if the State plans to continue to be a sought-after holiday destination in the country, and attract foreign tourists, too, the government and tourism stakeholders need to wake up and smell the coffee before it is too late.