There is little doubt that Goa’s coastline is hit by erosion. This is the grim reality which those in the tourism trade face virtually everyday. Shack owners who live cheek-by-jowl to the lapping water front are actually living on the edge —– literally and figuratively —-uncertain about how long their business will last. It’s as if it will be as long as the beach lasts. Though this is a matter of livelihood for locals and those in the tourism trade, the government’s lackadaisical attitude in tackling the menace has been inexcusable. This was amply demonstrated during the decade-long show piece of M V River Princess off Candolim, which eventually devoured several metres of precious beach stretch. That it took over a decade to rid Goa of the beleaguered vessel is a sad commentary on the efficiency and commitment of successive governments to protect the tourism industry and ecology.
Is the same level of commitment visible today under the new government led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar? Some 21 beach stretches are affected by erosion along Goa’s shore, caused by the rising level of the sea. In the past, gabions, even geotubes were used at Sinquerim beach to attempt to control erosion. While the gabions literally finish the beach as they occupy major portion of the beach, the geotubes initiative was futile.
What is even more surprising is the lukewarm response offered by those in position of power to the revolutionary anti-sand erosion solution been offered by US-based agency incorporating Holmberg technology. Though this was offered to the government some two years ago, no proactive action has been forthcoming. Reportedly the technology involves installing simple equipment of underwater stabilizers bringing effective results over a period of time. The structures are low profile geotextile tubes that run at right angles from the dune or toe of the bluff, across the beach face to an appropriate distance offshore. Most of the system is submerged. Special foundations and landward tie-ins are employed to eliminate hydrodynamic problems associated with conventional structures. Incorporation of the system reportedly has succeeded in restoring beach growth without negative impacts to adjacent shorelines. Apart from reported favourable impact, plant and animal life in the coastal zone has benefited by habitat restoration, with even reports of nesting sea turtles.
This of course is the claim projected by the promoters, but there is good reason for the State to consider experimenting on the technology on a limited beach area to examine the results as a pilot project on an experimental basis. Sources reveal that after the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune forwarded a suggestion to Goa to proceed with a site specific proposal on this technology as a pilot project. What is the reason for the bottlenecks?
Also replanting of casuarinas trees along the shore is vital to retain the sand.
Authorities in position of power must realize that rise in sea water level and sand erosion is a living reality which will only worsen with delay, resulting in further cost escalation in erecting the protective shield along the coast. A lot of funds can be saved from going down the drain with prompt action. There’s an urgent need for the government to speed up its wheels of operation so that the decisions reach to the executive level before its too late.Speed up action to save our shoreline
There is little doubt that Goa’s coastline is hit by erosion. This is the grim reality which those in the tourism trade face virtually everyday. Shack owners who live cheek-by-jowl to the lapping water front are actually living on the edge —– literally and figuratively —-uncertain about how long their business will last. It’s as if it will be as long as the beach lasts. Though this is a matter of livelihood for locals and those in the tourism trade, the government’s lackadaisical attitude in tackling the menace has been inexcusable. This was amply demonstrated during the decade-long show piece of M V River Princess off Candolim, which eventually devoured several metres of precious beach stretch. That it took over a decade to rid Goa of the beleaguered vessel is a sad commentary on the efficiency and commitment of successive governments to protect the tourism industry and ecology.
Is the same level of commitment visible today under the new government led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar? Some 21 beach stretches are affected by erosion along Goa’s shore, caused by the rising level of the sea. In the past, gabions, even geotubes were used at Sinquerim beach to attempt to control erosion. While the gabions literally finish the beach as they occupy major portion of the beach, the geotubes initiative was futile.
What is even more surprising is the lukewarm response offered by those in position of power to the revolutionary anti-sand erosion solution been offered by US-based agency incorporating Holmberg technology. Though this was offered to the government some two years ago, no proactive action has been forthcoming. Reportedly the technology involves installing simple equipment of underwater stabilizers bringing effective results over a period of time. The structures are low profile geotextile tubes that run at right angles from the dune or toe of the bluff, across the beach face to an appropriate distance offshore. Most of the system is submerged. Special foundations and landward tie-ins are employed to eliminate hydrodynamic problems associated with conventional structures. Incorporation of the system reportedly has succeeded in restoring beach growth without negative impacts to adjacent shorelines. Apart from reported favourable impact, plant and animal life in the coastal zone has benefited by habitat restoration, with even reports of nesting sea turtles.
This of course is the claim projected by the promoters, but there is good reason for the State to consider experimenting on the technology on a limited beach area to examine the results as a pilot project on an experimental basis. Sources reveal that after the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune forwarded a suggestion to Goa to proceed with a site specific proposal on this technology as a pilot project. What is the reason for the bottlenecks?
Also replanting of casuarinas trees along the shore is vital to retain the sand.
Authorities in position of power must realize that rise in sea water level and sand erosion is a living reality which will only worsen with delay, resulting in further cost escalation in erecting the protective shield along the coast. A lot of funds can be saved from going down the drain with prompt action. There’s an urgent need for the government to speed up its wheels of operation so that the decisions reach to the executive level before its too late.
