GSBB awaiting nod from World Bank before commencing sand dune protection project

PANJIM: The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) is awaiting final approval from the World Bank to commence its ambitious project of protecting sand dunes across beaches having largest sand dunes. 

The World Bank had recently announced sanctioning Rs 3 crore to set up India’s first sand dune parks and interpretation centres in Goa. The GSBB, which will be the implementing agency, stated that the financial assistance is an in-principle approval. “The World Bank has given an in-principle approval for funding the project. We are waiting for its final approval,” GSBB Member Secretary, Pradeep Sarmukadam, told Herald. 

The officer confirmed the project will be held in Galgibaga, Morjim and Colva beaches. “These beaches have the biggest sand dunes which is why we have selected them for the project. Nothing new will be created on the beaches but the sand dunes will be protected in integration with the people. Bamboo over-bridges will be created at these sites and signages will be put up,” he added. 

Former National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Scientist Antonio Mascarenhas, was the only expert to put up the proposal for protecting sand dunes, while he served as the member of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) around four years ago. 

“We have been talking about coastal sand dune conservation and restoration for two decades. These features are the first line of defense and it’s a fundamental fact. We have proved by research, observation and measurement on how sand dunes come to the rescue of vegetation from the forces of the ocean,” he said speaking to Herald. 

Mascarenhas, who also pursued his proposal during his stint on board GSBB, explained that Tsunami effects in Goa (in the year 2004) was the best time to prove the validity of these features. “Those beaches having high elevation stopped the incoming waves whereas beaches close to where people live saw the waves overshooting the areas. Sand dunes are nature’s first line of defense and had these not been there, the sea waves would have come right inside,” he stated. 

At beaches where human interference is at higher level, Mascarenhas citing examples of shack operators’ claim that sand dunes getting diminished, stated that the inherent capacity sand dunes have as defenses get battered because of the uprooting of vegetation. “When there are shacks, tents on the beaches; how would they (sand dunes) survive? They keep on getting flattened, their levels are reducing and their vegetation is getting destroyed. So stability of the dunes is getting affected,” he said. 

While welcoming the financial assistance from the World Bank, Mascarenhas stated that artificial eco-friendly fencing of the areas will help protect the most important part of the beaches.