by Antonio
Mascarenhas
Time and again, the tribulations facing the coast of Goa have been grabbing headlines, mostly for wrong reasons. Obviously, all is not well with our coasts. This author has been promoting the cause of sand dunes since the last two decades; very little could be achieved. Nevertheless, the joyful news (Herald, 08 February 2016) that the coastal community from Salcette have made a case for restoration of sand dunes is a highly commendable endeavour.
Needless to repeat, the utter need for the preservation of natural resources in general and ecosystems in particular is well enshrined in the constitution of India, the Article 21 to be precise. The issues of environmental protection and nature conservation based on PIL’s by community groups since the 1980’s have resulted in a dozen innovative verdicts by the Supreme Court of India. Conservation of natural ecosystems now finds itself on a firm pedestal.
The Environment Protection Act (EPA) 1986 delineates the methodology for the protection of environment from a scientific perspective. Under the banner of EPA, the Government of India promulgated laws for coastal development in the form of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) to counter the haphazard human actions along Indian coasts. The CRZ notification of 2011 is the prevailing law that governs coastal activities in India. These guidelines which comprise prohibited, permitted and regulated activities have been acclaimed as an ideal instrument that legally protects the Indian coasts from unwarranted development.
Despite the above national level protocols, the kind of human intervention on the coast of Goa defies logic. The GCZMA is virtually unable to implement CRZ laws due to the flood of illegalities galore. Consider this: the entire sea front of Baga – Calangute is infested with a variety of (bumper to bumper) shacks, huts and make-shift restaurants; the dune system has lost its identity. At Colva, garbage is being handled on a large frontal dune; the entire area is flattened and vegetation uprooted. The erstwhile low dune shores of Anjuna, Ashvem and Palolem can no longer be defined as natural coasts. And since the last few years, the quaint sand dunes of Agonda have disappeared in totality, owing to the massive assault of shacks and restaurants. To make matters worse, the GCZMA is scrutinizing 340 applications for around 3200 shacks / huts / restaurants along the coast of Goa, mostly tourism related. These requests are in addition to the 350 odd beach shacks approved by the government and presently in operation. All these structures are impacting the dune fields as never before. Therefore, the unique coastal geological features that Goa is blessed with are under persistent pounding by anthropogenic influences.
Sand dunes are dynamic landforms formed by the action of wind perpendicular to the coast. Onshore winds transport loose sand that is trapped by any object found on the beach. The accumulated sand bodies fix themselves under natural conditions, are invaded by dune grass and stabilize as embryonic dunes that grow. Well-formed vegetated dunes, some 5-8 meters high, with a thick carpet of vegetation, can still be identified along coastal Goa.
It is globally accepted that that sand dunes are sensitive geomorphological features that need protection from human interference. Sand dunes act as Nature’s first line of defence against the forces of the ocean. Active sources of beach nourishment, dunes dissipate wave energy, protect coasts from erosion and maintain coastal equilibrium and stability. More importantly, dunes block wave run-up whenever sea level rises due to meteorological phenomena. Since sand dunes form a physical barrier, they offer natural protection between the ocean and inland property. That is why coastal sand dunes are extremely useful to society.
Therefore, fatter sand dunes and denser vegetation implies greater coastal stability and enhanced natural defence. A beach – dune is a highly organized, mutually dependent and a mutually supporting system.
Coastal aeolian dunes are often mobile and show a dynamic behaviour that should be understood, respected but not contradicted by anthropogenic influences. Dunes cannot simply follow a pattern that is not naturally theirs. Since sand dunes are dynamic, geomorphologically fragile and ecologically sensitive, these geomorphic edifices have been classified as CRZ I under the CRZ Notification of 1991. Alteration of or intervention on sand dunes is prohibited; accordingly, sand dune belts cannot be disturbed by any activity whatsoever.
Any intervention in such ecosystems requires a close cooperation between policy makers, planners, bureaucrats on the one hand, and environmental specialists and coastal scientists on the other. A rational approach thus demands a close link between planners and scientists, who study, know and understand the evolution and behaviour of these fragile coastal ecosystems.
In summary, ‘developmental’ needs or insatiable greed cannot outweigh ecological principles. There cannot be any compromise on the wellbeing, role and functions of the beach – dune ecosystems.
(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former Scientist of NIO, Goa, and Member of GCZMA and GSBB)
