Canacona: Despite a statewide ban on driving on beaches, two incidents were reported in Canacona taluka, prompting action by the tourism department.In the first case, Gopal Kusalkar was found driving a Maharashtra-registered vehicle on Agonda beach. Locals stopped him before the vehicle could get stuck in the sand. Kusalkar told them he had been misled by some villagers who claimed there was a parking facility beyond the beach.In the second incident, Melanka Vaz was driving along the road beside the beach when her car veered off and its front wheels got stuck in the sand. She was unable to move the vehicle back onto the road. Some locals initially suspected she was trying 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 the violations.Environmentalist Shubham Komarpant said driving on beaches is a serious concern because Galgibaga and Agonda are fragile coastal ecosystems and designated turtle nesting sites, and vehicle movement can disturb wildlife.
Gopal Kusalkar was found driving a Maharashtra-registered vehicle on Agonda Beach. Locals stopped him before the vehicle could get stuck in the sand
