Beach shacks are not allowed anywhere in the world: Mascarenhas

Herald: What is your observation on the effects of Cyclone Ockhi along Goa's coast, particularly with shacks facing the nature's brunt?

ANTONIO MASCARENHAS: At the outset we must admit that beach shacks are not allowed anywhere in the world. Just google out ‘beach shacks’ and see what you get: Goa and only Goa. Nevertheless, huts and wooden houses exist elsewhere in the world, but in designated safe places, but not on the beach. In Goa, it seems to be free-for-all.

The CRZ notification allows purely temporary structures, for which there are clear cut policies enacted by the Goa government. The shacks promoters have flouted the guidelines with impunity. For example, the forbidden dunes are encroached by their kitchens which shacks cannot have. Food cannot be cooked in the shack premises; some have refrigerators, toilets, bathrooms, soak pits, water pumps. Terms such as ecology and environment simply do not exist in the shack owners’ vocabulary; revenue is the only respected word. Principles of ecology cannot be outshined by greed. With such a disdainful attitude towards our natural landscape, how do we expect our coasts to function the nature’s way?

Herald: Do you think that Goan shores are susceptible to calamities like these?

MASCARENHAS: Yes, definitely. Note that the sandy beaches of the world are a property of the ocean; Goa is no exception. Beaches face the mighty ocean. That is where the ocean dissipates energy and comes to rest. That is why beaches are termed as inter-tidal zones, and often called as Nature’s and oceans’ playing fields. Sandy beaches, wider and higher, are thus imperative to take care of unsuspecting marine transgressions. Note that there was a similar situation in December 2013 where the sea level rose very high and invaded the shacks. That was only the effect of the highest high tide of the year, and lasted for a few hours only. That happened because this beach was under the grip of erosion earlier in July, and had hardly recovered; instead, shacks were erected on a wounded beach. There was a hue and cry, lessons were learnt, but were soon forgotten.

The cyclone Phyan brushed the coast of Goa in 2010, but affected only Baga; there was only a temporary rise in the level of the sea.

Herald: Have sand dunes in Goa been a victim of haphazard activities on the beaches? 

MASCARENHAS: Coastal sand dunes are majestic geomorphic features that always fascinated me. We have been reporting on this topic since the last two decades. I made my first report (on sand dunes) in 1998 wherein the state of sand dunes was discussed. Another report was subsequently published by the World Bank. Construction activities on dune fields, beach shacks, roads and sand mining were the major activities due to which the sand dunes were being eliminated. Two decades later, we still find that sand dunes and associated vegetation have borne the maximum brunt from tourism and related human activities.

We had also contributed towards the CZMP of 1996, prevailing till today. We had stressed that the beach-dune ecosystems need attention at all times. It is well established that sand dunes are Nature’s first line of defence against the power of the ocean. I have continued since then. My comments and predictions over time have been proved right every time there is a “disaster” on our coasts.  

But we swung into action after the tsunami of 2004 and the tragedy that followed. We examined the response of various types of coasts in the wake of virulent waves. Our observations along the coasts of Tamil Nadu proved beyond doubt that well preserved vegetated sand dunes came to the rescue of inhabitants who lived behind them; whereas those areas where frontal dunes were levelled were over shot by powerful waves; that is where maximum deaths occurred. The natural inherent protective capacity of dune complexes is confirmed. Therefore, there cannot be a compromise on the role and functions of beach-dune systems.

Herald: How can Goa's coast be saved from disasters like these? 

MASCARENHAS: If the laid down principles of coastal management are not followed, such episodes (losses) will recur. Note that the shorefront is the site of an extraordinary release of ocean energy. There is no way to defend a structure from a powerful incoming wave. The stronger the defence, more drastic will the consequences be. That is why coastal geological processes need to be respected; the longshore currents that distribute sand and govern erosion and/or accretion of beaches cannot be hampered; the beach-dune systems that offer natural buffer capacity need to be conserved; eolian processes beneficial for dune growth cannot be curtailed; aggressive afforestation is the need of the hour; adequate setbacks need to be maintained and that is what CRZ is all about.

I can confirm with great confidence that the only low risk sustainable development is the one that observes natural protection: protective elevation and protective vegetation.

Herald: Goa does not have a State disaster management plan in place. What is your take on this?

MASCARENHAS: The terms such as “disaster management”, “natural disasters” or “nature’s fury” are absurd, and are being used recklessly. Marine incursions that happened along the Goa coast are in fact a man-made disaster, thrust upon ourselves, simply because structures were located in a dynamically active and vulnerable intertidal zone that belongs to the ocean. What we need to have say a ‘risk reduction and management board / authority’ with experts from all scientific disciplines and administrators who work from a cross-sectoral perspective.