Staff Reporter
Margao
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira on Wednesday said the state government was aware of the increasing coastal erosion along Goa’s shoreline and was working on a solution that balances tourism interests. The state was also seeking assistance from the World Bank for the project, he said.
“We recently held a conference on the issue and are in touch with Deltares from the Netherlands. They were selected because
they have worked with countries like Norway and Denmark, which face similar challenges. They have successfully controlled soil erosion to a large extent,” Sequeira said.
The government is consolidating various reports to be sent to the Netherlands-based agency for review and recommendations. However, Sequeira said that any solution must align with tourism interests.
“Tourism depends on the beach. Conventional measures like tripods may protect the shore but could disturb tourists who prefer open beaches. We are still exploring alternatives and will finalise a solution. We are
also identifying a location
for a pilot project before implementing it across Goa,” he said.
Sequeira added that the state is in talks with the World Bank for a Rs 1,600 crore grant, part of which will be allocated to tackling coastal erosion. “My predecessor had led a team to
the Netherlands to study their methods, and I am taking that commitment forward,” he said.
A recent study found that unchecked tourism-related development, including the flattening of sand dunes, has severely degraded Goa’s coastal areas. While tourism has significantly contributed to the state’s economy, it has also led to haphazard development within CRZ zones, threatening the fragile coastal
ecosystem.
On the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), Sequeira said, “We found discrepancies in the CZMP 2011 and brought them to the attention of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. They have asked the NCSCM to review it. While the NGT is pressing for the completion of CZMP 2019, we believe the discrepancies should be rectified first.”
