Very recently, in the seaside village of Varca, unknown individuals destroyed a sand dune to create room for a broad road leading to the lovely beach.
Warren Alemao was right when he said that sand dunes protect populations and ecosystems from the damaging effects of storms, cyclones and tsunamis and the consequences of increasing sea levels.
Dunes act as natural barriers against coastal erosion. These dunes must be safeguarded if coastal areas are to be protected, the biodiversity is to be preserved and tourism is to be sustained.
This April, Sanjay Borkar, writing for Daiji World, informed us that there is the issue of coastal erosion in the state of Goa, and the lost sand dunes will threaten Goa’s natural beauty as well as its tourism economy.
Approximately 27% of Goa's 105-kilometre-long coastline is under the threat of erosion, which is attributed to factors such as rising sea levels and human activities.
Various stakeholders, environmentalists, state ministers and legislators that represent these coastal constituencies should vehemently raise concerns and urge the government to take action to prevent further erosion and the wiping out of sand dunes.
Nevertheless, we are aware that the state government has initiated both structural and non-structural measures to address the issue. Structural measures include protective structures like tetrapods, concrete blocks, and gabion walls.
Non-structural measures involve studying the causes of erosion and developing long-term remedies in consultation with organisations like the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS).
However, there should be constant maintenance of the structural measures already taken and a follow-up on the study being done to find the causes and remedies to the impending issues of the coastal belt.
What must be applauded at this point is the effort of the Varca local panchayat, which immediately took steps after informing the necessary officials, including the South Goa district collector and the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) authorities, to restore a sand dune that was purposefully removed by unidentified people.
Numerous studies conducted by institutions like the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) have documented the destruction and degradation of dunes along Goa's coastline, especially in areas such as Betul to Cansaulim in South Goa and Sinquerium to Baga and Arambol in North Goa.
This may be the first instance in Goa’s history where a panchayat has taken the initiative to restore a sand dune after it was destroyed due to illegal actions. This is a good example to encourage other elected representatives to give priority to the restoration of dunes.
Due to rife development, tourism-related activities and massive construction projects, Goa's coast, which was formerly renowned for its pristine beauty, has seen substantial changes. And the impact on the delicate 6,000-year-old sand dune ecosystems has been massive.
Numerous studies conducted by institutions like the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) have documented the destruction and degradation of dunes along Goa's coastline, especially in areas such as Betul to Cansaulim in South Goa and Sinquerim to Baga and Arambol in North Goa.
The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2011 designated sand dunes as CRZ I (A) areas, which are ecologically sensitive zones where development is restricted. However, despite these regulations, the destruction of dunes has persisted, often due to unchecked development and inadequate enforcement of regulations.
Despite the presence of dunes, the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) underlined in a report from last year that licences for infrastructure development, hotels and residential homes were given along sensitive beach portions.
Additionally, it made a case for stricter compliance with laws and more proactive conservation measures.
There are instances where the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has denied the presence of sand dunes on specific beaches, contradicting earlier directives for dune restoration.
This doesn’t mean that efforts aren’t being made. For instance, in March this year, two illegal structures were razed by the GCZMA, a shack and a ground-plus-one concrete structure constructed in the no-development zone of the CRZ at Junaswada in Mandrem.
This raises concerns that the exclusion of dunes from approved plans may result in the approval of projects that harm these vital ecosystems.
The current predicament emphasises that priority must be given to ecological preservation over development and tourism.
To guarantee the long-term health of Goa's coastal ecology, there must be an effective enforcement of legislation and proactive initiatives to become aware of the illegal appropriation of sand from dunes and the maintenance and restoration of the dunes.
This doesn’t mean that efforts aren’t being made. For instance, in March this year, two illegal structures were razed by the GCZMA, a shack and a ground-plus-one concrete structure constructed in the no-development zone of the CRZ at Junaswada in Mandrem. This was a case where locals were involved in destroying the dunes.
What happens when government officials are responsible?
We need punitive measures that are equally meted out to ensure that those in power do not get away scot-free when they engage in environmentally damaging activities. Only then can we look towards restoring and preserving Goa’s dunes successfully.