SHWETA KAMAT
shweta@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: India’s first sand dune parks may come up along the beach stretches of Mandrem, Morjim, Agonda and Galgibaga, with Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) proposing to the State government the conservation and restoration of the coastal dune ecosystems which are currently degraded.
The four beach stretches – two each in North and South Goa – have been classified and designated as turtle nesting grounds and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, prohibiting development activities.
“Since these beach stretches have a legally designated status, it would be worthwhile to, as well, consider or notify the same stretches as sand dune parks. Human interference should not be permitted at these sites. A proposal of this kind would be a first ever effort towards showcasing natural coastal dune systems,” Dr Antonio Mascarenhas, GCZMA expert member, said in his proposal.
Except for Mandrem beach, the others are not affected much by human interference. Mandrem, having a thick density of beach shacks, is severely affected by tourism activities and hence needs protection.
Mascarenhas pointed out that the efforts to conserve natural coastal ecosystems have never been thought about, not only in Goa but in the country in general. Therefore, the proposal for coastal sand dune parks has multi-pronged benefits.
“India does not have dune parks; such an effort was never made. As such, notification of sand dune parks in Goa would be the first of its kind in India, as restoration, conservation and management initiatives of coastal sand dunes are rarely attempted, and still in its infancy,” he added.
Mascarenhas is of the view that the establishment of notified coastal ecosystems would put Goa in the forefront in the conservation of (degraded) coastal sand dunes.
“The coasts of India are generally marked by prominent frontal sand dunes that back most of the sandy beaches. Owing to their ecological importance, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has given a protected status to these coastal ecosystems through the CRZ 2011 notification. Human intervention on coastal dunes is forbidden. However, there is little effort made towards the conservation and restoration of coastal dune ecosystems which are degraded,” the proposal stated.
