Unlike its boisterous, touristy neighbours like Alibag and Kihim, the rocky beachfront of Awas is untouched by food carts and recreational activities and offers clean serenity that draws loyal visitors.
Awas, a coastal village in Raigad district of Maharashtra, stands out as a pristine landscape, distinct from the bustling beaches of its neighbouring tourist hotspots such as Alibag and Kihim because of its commitment to protecting the fragile environment.
The beach in Awas boasts a unique topography with rocky terrain, setting it apart from the nearby popular destinations. Unlike other beaches that offer various recreational activities, Awas offers solitude and tranquillity.
Rocks jutting out of the shoreline don’t allow water sports, and carts cannot navigate the rugged beach devoid of sand. Food stalls are also absent, allowing visitors to enjoy nature undisturbed.
It’s a tranquil escape for celebrities as well, including former and current cricketers Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli, the latter being the brand ambassador of a high-end realty space in Awas.
But the land that appears unsoiled isn’t immune to the threat of rising seas and coastal erosion, which has worsened in recent times due to cyclones. The villagers and the panchayat hope to reverse sea erosion by safeguarding the beauty of the area.
The panchayat has strategically planted coconut and suru or casuarina pine trees along the coastline of Awas and successfully created a natural barrier to prevent the sea from eating into land.
As the monsoon approaches, the western coast of India in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka prepares for the arrival of dark, sticky tar-balls. These weathered oil blobs are remnants of oil spills or natural seepage from petroleum reservoirs.
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While Goa, which depends solely on beach tourism, Karnataka and even Mumbai struggle to find a solution. The villagers of Awas, along with their school-going children, actively engage in clean-up operations on their rocky beach.
“The tar-balls ruin the beach year after year in the rainy season. We have tackled the problem by ensuring everyone in the village pitches in physically to clean the beach, and we’re succeeding,” said Awas village head Abhijeet Rane. The panchayat also receives a willing hand from regular visitors to the area.
The proactive locals extend their efforts beyond Awas. They conduct regular cleanliness drives on nearby Kandheri Island, which is famous for its temple. These initiatives aim to rid the island of tons of plastic waste like bottles and food packets left behind by devotees and tourists.
In the absence of state-provided household waste management processes, the residents of Awas are devising their own system. They plan to dig trenches between the trees lining the coast and the sea to strategically bury wet waste, which will eventually transform into natural fertiliser for the trees.
Additionally, the locals gather every week to clean the beach of any plastic left behind by visitors. They also admonish those who casually discard garbage in public.
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The residents are now in discussions with the government to harness the abundant solar power available in the region in order to become fully self-reliant in terms of energy needs.
The residents of Awas take pride in their surroundings and actively participate in preserving the environment. They take leisurely morning strolls along the beach, and stone benches provide a place for relaxation.
The suru trees serve as a beautiful backdrop to the beach, and even young children contribute to tree plantation drives. The village pathways remain free of garbage.
“I love participating in the plantation drives,” said 10-year-old Bhumi Rane as she prepared potted plants for an upcoming campaign. Her mother, Minakshi, watched her daughter with silent admiration while preparing batata vadas (a fried potato snack) at her food stall, named Bhumi Hotel, situated opposite the gram panchayat office in the main square of Awas.
The village’s loyal clientele appreciates its serene ambiance, attracting visitors who seek a quieter and more secluded beach experience compared to the livelier neighbouring tourist spots.
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The lead image at the top shows volunteers lining up to clean Awas beach. (Photo by Gajanan Khergamker)
Gajanan Khergamker is a Mumbai-based independent writer, solicitor and filmmaker.
