PANJIM: As Goa’s coastline is reeling under the threat of erosion with significant change, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has commenced a detailed study on State’s 105-km coastline to determine its condition. Funded by the Union Ministry of Water Resources, the project also includes a study of coastal Maharashtra.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) had approached NIO to conduct the coastal erosion study along Goa and Maharashtra coast, after it observed vast changes in the shoreline.
Speaking to Herald, NIO Director, Sunil Kumar Singh said the study, which has just started, includes the causes for coastal erosion, how serious is the situation and recommendations to evade the situation in the future.
“The Central Water Commission had approached us to conduct the coastal erosion study. Preliminary it has been observed that the sediment supply has stopped leading to erosion. As a result, the coastline is changing significantly,” Singh explained. “The in-depth study will give us a clear picture,” he said.
In 2015, CWC had conducted a similar study covering the entire Indian coastline using satellite data of 1989-1991 and 2004-2006 time frames, wherein the study revealed that Goa, with highest percentage of 52 per cent had a stable shoreline when compared to other 11 maritime States and Union Territories.
In 2017, Goa government is on record having admitted that almost 19 beaches with 10.39-km coast are facing a severe threat of erosion.
As per the data tabled on the floor of the House by Water Resources Department, Betalbatim beach is the most affected with erosion. Almost 1,320 metres of area has been affected followed by Arossim (1,100m), Agonda (1000m) and Keri-Tiracol (1,000m).
The department said that measures were taken such as building of protection walls, reinforcing erosion-affected areas with tetra-pods, geo-fibre barriers, etc. to salvage the eroded beach stretches.
