 It was the first lowest of low tide of 2022 at famous Vareg Island in Chicalim, however unlike in past the area was left abandoned by the traditional local community in disappointment. All this because clams (tisreos) have not returned to this most resourceful area leaving the local tribal community that depends on this natural resource for its livelihoods in tragedy. Over hundreds of Dabolim-Chicalim villagers extract clams from the Vareg Island sand-bar at low tide. But this New Year, the clams didn’t show up. The area was a rich breeding ground of clams, window -pane oysters and other sea species. But various factors and pollution by iron ore barges has destroyed this natural habitat of the now extinct scheduled species placuna placenta, commonly known in Goa as the windowpane Oysters or the mother of pearl oysters.
