Famed Goa beaches under threat from rains, reckless construction

Jun 28, 2007, 8:07 GMT

New Delhi - The world-famous beaches in India's south-western state of Goa are facing a battle for survival following incursions by the sea amid heavy monsoon rains and human activities, a newspaper report said Thursday.

Torrential showers lashing the state for the past week have seen several beaches disappear underwater for the first time in history, the Indian Express daily reported.

The sea had encroached upon 'fragile' land and affected the beach cover along with the trees, coconut groves and even houses and shades meant for boats.

But experts and locals said the main reason for the disappearance of the beaches was because of reckless construction activities by builders.

Among the beaches under threat are Campal and Coco in northern Goa. Locals told the Express that builders had cut down trees and vegetation near the Coco beach, leading to erosion and encroachment by the sea.

Betalbatim and Majorda beaches in South Goa were also facing threat due to the erosion.

'Hotels and other business establishments near the beaches have destroyed the sand dunes and lush vegetation that control tidal waves,' Nandkumar Kamat, a scientist with the Goa University told the paper, blaming human interference for the degradation of the beaches.

Arvind Utawale, an expert on coastal science and mangroves, said that 80 per cent of mangroves along the Indian coast had been destroyed because of the apathy of the politicians and the local administration.

'They want to get rid of the mangroves and sand dunes for so-called development. Cutting forests of mangroves will further devastate human beings,' he said.

Goa is internationally renowned for its picturesque beaches and attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in India and attracts 1.2 million tourists annually, mostly from US and Europe.