In December 2014, two simultaneous music mega-festivals along the coastal areas of Candolim and Vagator had created a flutter in the ecological corridors of Goa. Permissions were granted by the GCZMA (of which this author was a member), the night before the event, without any official meeting. The solemn interests involved are commercial rather than cultural. The north Goa coast again witnessed a music festival recently; the accompanying frenzy is reasonable. This coastal zone can be classified as a high value coast due a distinctive environment, growing coastal tourism, seafront real estate investment, cultural, and recreational values. We have stressed that sandy coasts in particular are highly susceptible to human impacts. It is thus imperative to assess the dynamics of a sea-shore as coastal systems have specific roles to perform. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2011 rules, specifically enacted to conserve coastal landscape, do not have any provisions for large jamborees within CRZ limits.
As members of GCZMA, two of us undertook a field visit the day after the mega event at Candolim (31 December 2014), and some days later (3 January 2015) at Vagator. The purpose was to gather information whether or not such activities can be damaging to a sensitive coast. At Candolim, the frontal pioneer dune strip was largely intact; similarly, the sea front vegetation (creepers and bushes) did not show any signs of damage. However, the large undulating hind dune area was severely trampled upon and vegetation was found uprooted in totality. Plastic waste was scattered all over. The four huge stages/platforms had its share of impacts. It was also noticed that long trailer trucks were moving all over the dune field thus creating further remobilisation of dune sands. Large trucks in the dune fields are by itself a violation of CRZ regulations.
In comparison, at Vagator, better sense prevailed. Except for the scattered plastic waste, only nominal damage could be observed on the plateau, but the adjacent hill slopes were tampered with. The entire site of the festival falls outside the No Development Zone (NDZ). In January 2015, another issue came up at Campal where an exhibition was held on the erstwhile football ground without prior approval of the coastal authorities. Local residents complained about CRZ violations. An inspection was carried out and a combined report was submitted to GCZMA. The discussions are noted in the minutes of GCZMA 116 meeting (case 6.1) held on 26 May, 2015.
With the above in view, crucial issues need to be tackled from a scientific viewpoint: Should such festivals be held along coastal or riverine areas within the NDZ? Can a major temporary activity create long term ecological damage due to footfalls? How can/should such activities be regulated? With these issues in view, the following was suggested to GCZMA in December 2014: 1) The site at Candolim cannot be utilised out for such a large magnitude commercial event as the area constitutes a large sand dune complex, classified as CRZ I, where no activity can be permitted. The site also falls under the NDZ where profit making events are not allowed. As such, any future activity at such a site needs to be banned altogether. 2) On the contrary, the site at Vagator seems to be ideally suited for such purposes. The area comprises a stable hill top, and falls outside the NDZ. This site can in fact be designated as a permanent venue for exhibitions and festivals provided (a) the owners / local residents agree, (b) the inland hill slope is not tampered with, and (c) the scattered vegetation is not uprooted. 3) The football ground at Campal has somehow been the site for multiple activities over the years, but seems to have exceeded its limits recently. It is suggested that this rectangular area, although within the riverine NDZ, can be assigned exclusively for science exhibitions and cultural activities. The local residents however claim that this field should be reserved only for sports activities. Nevertheless, it is imperative that at least a 30 meter strip along the river bank should be kept out of bounds for any activity whatsoever by converting it into a vegetated buffer zone and by planting appropriate evergreen trees. Fringing mangroves can be tried within the river to further stabilise the bank that has witnessed an erosive tendency, but now concretized. 4) In addition to the above, three other large sites in South Goa were considered; Betul plateau, Cananguinim hill top, Cabo de Rama cliff / tableland are ideally suited.
The actual boundaries may need further discussion. All the sites are composed of massive laterite and almost devoid of vegetation. Of the three sites, a part of Cabo de Rama plateau falls within the NDZ; this portion is to be avoided. Barren plateaux need to be explored, and all such sites can be ideally designated as permanent venues for major festivals. No adverse impacts can be envisaged on these hill tops as these are empty areas composed of hard rock crust. However, the views of the owners / local residents are needed and respective local panchayats have to be taken into confidence.
The CRZ 2011 guidelines clearly stipulate that (see section 8, III, A) “area upto 200mts from HTL on the landward side in case of seafront and 100mtsalong tidal influenced water bodies or width of the creek whichever is less is to be earmarked as No Development Zone (NDZ)”. Further, the prohibited activities in CRZ section 3 (xiii) forbid “dressing or altering the sand dunes, hills, natural features including landscape changes for beautification, recreation and other such purpose”. Nevertheless, allowing a huge congregation of revellers in the CRZ can be termed as logically sound and scientifically valid provided that: (a) the event of short duration is organised strictly outside the confines of NDZ, (b) the native vegetation such as bushes, shrubs or trees are left intact, (c) the structures used are purely temporary in nature, (d) any damage to the ground is restored forthwith, so that the erosion and loss of top soil during the ensuing monsoon is reduced to zero.
(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former scientist, NIO, Goa, and former member GCZMA).
