----------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be better informed CONSUMERS. ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ Majorda beach in grip of sand and soil erosion -----------------------------------------------
by Minoo Fernandes Majorda beach has been witnessing sand and soil erosion for quite some time now. Villagers, landowners and owners of business establishments, including five-star hotels, have raised an alarm in the village and rolled up their sleeves to combat the phenomenon. It is understood that the erosion of sand and soil at Majorda coastline has been going on for the last eight years. The erosion occurs during the monsoon when strong waves lash the coast. This erosion leads to submergence of land with seawater. During a visit to the beach it was found that the huge waves not only take away the sand but also the soil from patches of land, which lies within the 200-metre high tide line. This soil erosion along the beach can be evident from degradation of the soil and disappearance of the undergrowth. The people of Majorda, especially landowners and owners of business establishments, including five-star hotels, have raised an alarm over the phenomenon. Mr Lucio Macarenhas, a villager, expressed his apprehension over the soil and sand erosion and said that one day these sea waves could devastate paddy fields. One Mr Caitano Braganza claimed that the soil erosion has 'swallowed' up his property as sea waves have eroded the soil of his land near the Majorda beach. Some villagers informed that landowners, owners of business establishments and five-star hotels have been approaching government departments as well as local self-governing institutions to find a permanent solution to this menace. Sources in some five-star hotels disclosed that the National Institute of Oceanography and the coastal regulation authorities have been approached during the last 10 years to save the Majorda coastline. However, so far nothing has been done to check the erosion. The sources informed that recently some hotels approached the public works department, and added that the department has promised all help. The PWD has also suggested de-siltation of long nullahs and streams winding along the beach to minimise the damage caused to the patches of land during the monsoons. The Betalbatim beach too had witnessed soil erosion some nine years back. Bur the village managed to deal with it by erecting 'hexagonal blocks' at the eroded patches of land. The Betalbatim sarpanch, Mr Michael Pereira said that he has been able to protect the beach belt of his village from soil erosion with the help of the local MLA and Tourism Minister, Mr Francisco Pacheco and the Water Resources Minister, Mr Filip Neri Rodrigues. He informed that an amount of Rs 4.20 crore has been spent by the water resources department to erect what are called 'hexagonal blocks', which have been successful in protecting the coastal areas from erosion. Taking a cue from the Betalbatim experiment, villagers and the newly-elected Majorda sarpanch, Ms Visitation D'Silva said the method used at Betalbatim in fighting soil and sand erosion could be used at Majorda beach as well. She said that all must come together and decide on how to go about fighting the erosion. Villagers and managements of some five-star hotels opined that it should be a combined effort of villagers, the Majorda panchayat and business establishments. The affected villagers are likely to convene a meeting to work out a strategy to counter the sand and soil erosion at Majorda beach. ------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 02/6/09 page 1 ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: [email protected] ----------------------------------------------------------
