MARGAO: Sounding an alarm, the coastal communities in South Goa have urged the State government to respond promptly to the escalating sand erosion crisis.
Drawing from experiences of the past few years, residents lament the government’s delayed reactions have allowed the situation to deteriorate.
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They have pointed to the visibly decreasing shoreline and uprooted trees as evidence of the relentless erosion forces at play. Amidst this growing anxiety, a resounding call echoes from the coastal villages – they have emphasised upon the need for real-time assessment and immediate intervention.
Locals argue that by the time the authorities respond, substantial and irreparable damage has already occurred, threatening their very existence along the rapidly receding coastline. Their pleas underscore the urgency for proactive measures, continuous monitoring, and a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impacts of erosion before it’s too late.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by a recent report from the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), which revealed that out of 41 surveyed beaches in Goa, a staggering 22 have witnessed significant erosion, totalling an area of 1,22,176.44 square metres. This revelation, presented in the Lok Sabha, has heightened concerns among locals and experts alike.
Coastal communities, including traditional fishermen and villagers, are bearing the brunt of this environmental crisis. In Cavelossim, residents have witnessed a rapid shrinking of the shoreline, with 20 metres of beach eroded since the last monsoon. Trees that once dotted the landscape have uprooted, a visible testament to the relentless force of erosion.
Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz had written to the Union Environment Minister and the State government last year providing photographic evidence of the erosion on Mobor beach.
He had personally requested the minister and other experts to visit the site and witness the ground reality, underscoring the urgency for corrective measures.
Jesus D’Costa, a traditional fisherman and panch member from Cavelossim, also lamented the worsening erosion year after year, warning that if the government fails to act, the village itself could be inundated by the encroaching waters.
Echoing these concerns, Roy Barretto, another Cavelossim resident, stated that some houses are already being threatened by the advancing shoreline.
They pointed out that under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, the government is mandated to protect coastal communities, but the residents feel their safety is at risk.
Barretto and D’Costa have called upon the authorities to investigate the plight of fishing communities across the State, highlighting the need for a comprehensive assessment and mitigation strategy.
Environmentalists have also raised alarms about the destruction of sand dunes, warning of the dire consequences for Goa’s coastline if corrective measures are not implemented immediately.
They emphasised the urgency of addressing these challenges holistically, considering the multifaceted nature of the factors shaping Goa’s beaches.
