MARGAO: Thanks to indifference of the Tourism Department, Salcete’s coastal belt plays host to tons of waste washed ashore on the beach belt since the last few days. The worst affected is the Benaulim beach with a large portion of the stretch between Benaulim and Sernabatim is affected by the plastic menace. A visit to the beach revealed that worst scenario, with plastic bags strewn all along the stretch. A number of visitors who were spotted on the beach were found negotiating with the waste as they took a stroll this evening. Civic-minded citizens have brought the situation to the notice of the local Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva, who questioned the indifference on the part of the Tourism Department to clear the waste from the beach. “It is indeed surprising that the tourism department has not yet made its presence felt on the beach till date. Beach cleaning is a regular process and it’s indeed surprising that no one has descended to keep the beach free from the waste”, Caitu said. He said he would draw the attention of the govt to the waste menace as well as the soil erosion that has hit many parts of Salcete’s coastal belt, including Colva and Sernabatim. A member said the panchayat has no role to play in beach cleaning with the government awarding the annual contractor of beach cleaning to designated contractors.