Climatic factors and man-made development are inflicting a heavy toll on Goa’s coastline with large tracts of beach disappearing beneath the sea in South Goa this monsoon. The riverine coast across the capital, Panaji is also threatened by heavy erosion, scientists said.
Alarmed by recent reports, the state government has sought the assistance of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). “We’ve asked the NIO to do a survey of the damage to the coast and to draw up a plan we can put in place to protect the most vulnerable points,” state Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira said. Scientists at NIO told Deccan Herald that the coast at Betalbatim and Pollem beaches in South Goa had borne the brunt of the sea’s incursion. “We’ve detected serious erosion taking place on these beaches from 2004 caused by heavy winds and depression,” a scientist said. The erosion has reduced sand dunes on the beaches by 10 metres and was washing away existing vegetation, he added.
Nature has hit back at Nerul beach (popularly known Coco beach) too, where the Mandovi river’s embankment has crumbled under the crush of wind and water. Heavy construction has taken place along this part of the riverine coast with a few hotels and restaurants blatantly abutting into the river. The Nerul-Verem waterfront has seen a conflict of interests between the fishing community, real estate developers and well-heeled property hunters who have built their holiday mansions there in violation of the environmental laws.
At coastal Keri, reclaimed agricultural land has been completely submerged this monsoon. The unchecked sand extraction along the Tiracol River has only exacerbated the river’s advance on the mainland, a local newspaper reported.
Michael D’Souza, Director Science, Technology and Environment says the government would have to increase the tree cover as well as build concrete dykes to tackle coastal erosion on a long term basis. He said though the extent of coastal erosion appeared alarming, the beaches tend to regenerate by May. “This is a recurring phenomenon. The sea eats into the land, but by the end of the monsoon, we find that the beach is back.”