Goa, July 26 -- Anger is mounting in Morjim as villagers accuse the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) of illegally flattening protected sand dunes at Morjim beach - an officially declared turtle nesting site - for a proposed parking lot. Locals are threatening mass protests if the work is not stopped immediately.

"Morjimkars cannot be taken lightly. If need be, we will show our strength to preserve the turtle nesting site that has been part of our heritage for years. It is a shame that the government thinks it can roll over a nesting site. We have got together before and will do it now," fumed retired Captain Gerald Fernandes, Morjim resident and the first recipient of the Wildlife Conservation Award, instituted by the State gov...