Team Herald
MARGAO: Beach erosion in Goa has reached alarming levels, with experts warning of severe environmental and economic repercussions. At a recent two-day national workshop on coastal management, researchers emphasised the need for scientifically grounded, nature-based solutions to tackle the State’s rapidly eroding coastline.
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Key recommendations included sand nourishment, dune vegetation, and mangrove restoration to restore sediment balance and enhance long-term coastal resilience. Hard engineering solutions like groynes and breakwaters were advised only as a last resort due to their potential to exacerbate erosion in nearby areas.
The workshop revealed critical data gaps in sediment transport, near-shore bathymetry, and river sediment supply, with experts calling for collaborative research between institutions like NCSCM, ISRO, and Deltares. The ongoing Phase II of Deltares’ study, which employs numerical modelling to address erosion hotspots like Mobor Beach, is expected to provide targeted mitigation strategies.
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, speaking to media persons recently at the South Goa District Collectorate, noted that the two-day workshop had provided several scenarios for beach restoration. “We have to now wait for the ultimate report, which will guide the government in which direction to go on the issue,” Sequeira said. The workshop also stressed the importance of public awareness, capacity building, and community engagement to ensure the successful implementation of sustainable solutions. A comprehensive coastal management strategy tailored to Goa’s unique ecological and socio-economic context was proposed, alongside recommendations for a dynamic shoreline monitoring program.
Director of Environment & Climatic Change, Johnson Fernandes, highlighted the environmental and economic challenges posed by coastal erosion in Goa, which affects biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and the tourism sector—a vital contributor to the state’s economy. He explained that Phase I of Deltares’ study had focused on data inventory, while Phase II will address mitigation measures. “The study assesses the impacts of human interventions like sand mining, as well as natural factors such as sea-level rise and storm impacts, which are exacerbating erosion rates along Goa’s coast,” he said.
