Goa CZMP: lack of ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives

The intricacies involved in the ecological welfare of our coasts from a scientific perspective are being highlighted by this author (and many others) in a series of articles since the last several years. To recap: the sandy beach as the property of the ocean, a playfield where the ocean retires; the beach – dune system as the most fragile, dynamic and vulnerable to drastic morphological changes; the frontal pioneer dune as the Nature’s first line of defence; dune vegetation as a binding agent that stabilises restless dune sands; the scientific validity of coastal setbacks; creation of sand dune parks; mangroves as geological agents in rivers and backwaters. The brunt of anthropogenic actions on coastal ecosystems, the sandy seafront in particular, has been retold. The need for conservation initiatives and management policies for sand dunes and mangroves has also been echoed. To achieve these objectives, the CRZ 2011 mandates coastal zone management plans (CZMPs) for all the littoral States of India.

The draft Goa CZMP 2019 describes the generation CZMP maps at local level, ecologically sensitive areas, scope of CZMPs, CRZ of Goa, coastal zone management plans, CRZ classification and general guidelines. The draft CZMP is formulated with the express objective to: (1) Ensure livelihood security to the fisher communities and other local communities living in the coastal areas, (2) Conserve and protect coastal stretches, its unique environment and its marine area, and (3) Promote sustainable development. Under the subsection on management plans, only the HTL and LTL are mentioned. However, the document does not describe any details about the flora and fauna, does not guarantee the health of coastal vegetation or invoke social forestry/plantation schemes, and most importantly, does not contain any proposals for the conservation of coastal ecosystems or restoration of degraded landscape. Once again, the CZMP 2019 is found wanting.

The coast of Goa has undergone untold trauma ever since tourism was designated a major revenue earner. Despite national level protocols, the open sandy seafront has been the major casualty compared to riverine and wetland areas. Impacts include construction of dwellings, hotels, resorts and guesthouses on dune fields, dune sand extraction, roads on sand dunes, beach shacks, indiscriminate recreation activities, uprooting of dune vegetation, salt water ingress, litter on beaches, parking lots, unwarranted seawalls, and a myriad of CRZ violations. As such, it is doubtful whether the countless dunes which have disappeared from all over the coast can ever be restored; this is because we have lost track of such losses. Nevertheless, before the dune-lined shore turns into a concrete coast, it is obligatory that further losses be curtailed and the existing dunes be conserved at all costs. Preservation of natural ecosystems is virtually unheard, and rejuvenating damaged landscape was never ever attempted.

The following needs attention:

(1) Conservation of dune fields: The linear sandy beaches of Goa, the Salcete coast in particular, are entirely backed by majestic dune belts that need to function as Nature’s first line of defence and hence call for preservation. (2) Rejuvenation of degraded dunes: Several dune sections now found in various stages of despair due to indiscriminate human actions can be brought back to life with available scientific methods. (3) Restitution of lost morphological features: Isolated/specific spots where pioneer dunes are have disappeared need to be restored by restraining undue human activity. (4) Flattened dunes: Excessive trampling due to footfalls is a common feature at beach entry points as in Miramar and Colva, sites that call for urgent restoration measures.(5) Deracinated vegetation: Rarely attempted, plantation of creepers and bushes all along the frontal mounds will contribute towards stable and healthy dunes.(6) Deployment of sand fences: Erecting eco-friendly wooden hedges is an easy way to trap mobile sand, a successful method tried at Miramar in 2007 and where dunes created artificially are still surviving independently.(7) Beach nourishment: Sustaining beaches and dunes with imported sand is classified as a modern scientific strategy for restoring the eroded of sandy areas.(8) Sand dune parks: Five dune fields at Mandrem, Morjim, Galgibaga, Agonda and Miramar are proposed as dune parks, a first-ever effort in India.(9) The concept of bio-zones: After the tsunami 2004 experience, plantations in the form of a zonation of vegetal species from pioneer to hind dune was proposed, a utility measure that will largely enhance coastal stability, seafront aesthetics and marine biodiversity.(10) River banks and wetlands: Saline water bodies ought to be lined by natural mangroves, but instead, large parts of wetlands are invaded by mangroves, with consequent loss of cultivable land, a major problem that demands management solutions.(11) Antecedent mangrove marshes/parks: Riverine environments are marked by prolific, dense and luxuriant mangrove forests and productive tidal flats that call for conservation efforts from the biodiversity viewpoint. (12) Bio-walls along river banks and khazans: The role of mangroves in the stability of protective embankments is acknowledged.(13) Impact of railway embankment: Having bisected several low-lying saline wetlands, the landward portions, rendered fallow with dominant invasive vegetal species, need attention.(14) Hard - soft measures: Concrete structures along sandy coasts, rivers and backwaters need to be banished. In brief, the CZMP ought to consider a robust management policy that embraces conservation and restoration measures for sand dunes, mangroves and wetlands.

(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former Scientist, NIO, Goa)