27 Jun 2022  |   06:28am IST

Concerns raised over Colva Beach sand erosion

There’re possibilities of pergolas falling into water as sand over which it is placed may collapse any time

Team Herald

MARGAO: Concerns have been raised about the sand erosion that has taken place at Colva Beach and over the possibility of pergolas falling into the water as the sand over which it is placed may collapse at any time.

It is to be noted that a middle portion of the beach has washed away and there is now a stream of water in its place. For perspective, there is sand at the start of the beach towards the side of the land before the beach and then there is now a stream of water and then head towards the side, the stretch of beach continues.

While these pergolas are located in front of the property of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), questions have been raised about the decision to place these pergolas on the beach given that it could damage the beach. Questions have also been raised about the use of concrete and other projects of the government at the beach.

Activist Judith Almeida, who is part of the Colva Civic Consumer Forum, blamed the GTDC for not only causing loss to the exchequer but also the destruction of the environment.  

She added that the GTDC had already been warned by the National Green Tribunal against pouring concrete within the No Development Zone (NDZ).

The government has been criticised for not doing enough to prevent sand erosion and also allowing concrete walls to be constructed by private groups on various beaches of Goa even though scientists have stated how this will lead to the beach itself being washed away in the future.

Almeida, who has recently raised issues such as the faulty streetlights, unresolved issue of sewerage being released into the Colva creek and problems further pointed out that the concrete toilet block built by the government is also metres away from becoming Goa's first floating toilet block. She was referring to the possibility of the toilet too ending up in the water the way the pergolas may fall into the water soon.

“Last year, the retaining wall (at Colva) was demolished. When greed overpowers sustainable development, the so-called economics takes a hit,” she added.  

She also hit out against the State government for continuing to blame activists and NGOs.