TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Nature’s fury has left the Colva coast battered this year, with the northern side of the beach hit by soil erosion extending up to Betalbatim.
On a visit to the coast one can see the area around a high mast lamp battered by the waves (see pic). Further erosion could bring the mast down.
Loose stones and coconut trees lying on the beach are a testimony that the beach was battered by huge waves and a rise in sea water level this year, with environmental activists crying foul over the development, terming them as manmade.
While Sarpanch Snowkon Gonsalves said that beach erosion is not new to Colva over the years, social activist Judith Almeida said the erosion is an eye opener for the government, authorities and the people that they cannot fool with nature. “People will now realise the importance of sand dunes in protecting the coast and the people. Take a look at the high mast lamp. The lamp structure might crumble if the waves continue to batter the coast,” she said.
“People cannot take the nature for granted. The reason is simple. There’s development taking place in the no-development zone. We have been fighting against violations, but the government and the local authorities took it easy,” she said.
The activist said the government should take into account the advice of experts, including NIO scientists, before embarking on any plan to protect the coast with walls. “The walls have not helped much to contain soil erosion. Instead of pursuing its own agenda, the political class should go by the advice of experts,” she added.
