Workshop warns that hard structures such as groynes and breakwaters should be used sparingly
Erosion at some of Goa's beaches.
MARGAO
The two-day National workshop on Capacity Building for Erosion study has recommended potential solutions, including soft nature based interventions without ruling out hard measures, but have cautioned that hard structures such as groynes, breakwaters etc should be used sparingly.
The soft interventions recommended for beach restoration including sand nourishment, dune vegetation, and mangrove restoration to restore sediment balance and provide adaptive measures for climate uncertainties and to ensure long-term maintenance and monitoring plans, as sand nourishment requires periodic replenishment.
The workshop has warned that hard structures such as groynes, breakwaters, etc. should be used sparingly as they can disrupt adjacent coastal areas, adding that trapping sand with structures is unlikely to be effective in Goa due to the lack of natural sediment sources.
The workshop has called for an integrated data and research by conducting detailed studies on long shore sediment transport, river sediment supply, and storm impacts. It has stressed on the neeed to encourage collaborative research between institutions like NCSCM, ISRO, Deltares, and local agencies.
On the question of Capacity Building and Public Awareness, the workshop has called for equipping local agencies with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable solutions. It has stressed on the need to engage the public in understanding the benefits and expectations of nature-based approaches (e.g., sand spreading over time).
While calling for Developing a Comprehensive Policy Framework to address the issues on beach erosion, the workshop has called for aligning solutions with local ecological, social, and economic contexts. It has further called for incorporating findings into a coastal management strategy document for Goa, addressing both mitigation and long-term adaptation.
On the actionable next Steps, the workshop has recommended to finalise Phase-II of Deltares’ Study to identify site-specific solutions using numerical modelling techniques and data collected during Phase-I.
Recommending launching a Multi-Institute Monitoring Programme, the workshop has called for involving key stakeholders in ongoing shoreline monitoring to track changes and adapt strategies dynamically.
In a bid to promote community support for soft measures, the workshop has called for Public Outreach Initiatives in order to build awareness about the impacts of erosion and climate change.
Systematic,
long-term studies
Director, Environment & Climatic Change, Johnson Fernandes has said the two-day national workshop has emphasised on the importance of systematic, long-term studies to identify root causes of coastal erosion and develop location-specific solutions taken into account that Goa's 105 km-long coastline, with 70 km of sandy beaches, faces significant erosion challenges.
He said the workshop has highlighted the factors and processes driving erosion in Goa, including long shore sediment transport, sea-level rise, human interventions (sand mining), and storm impacts.
He said that Phase-I of Deltares study focuses on data inventory, while Phase 2 will analyze mitigating measures, with a focus on Mobor Beach. “The workshop has assessed Human and Environmental Impacts. Coastal erosion impacts biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and tourism, which is a significant contributor to Goa’s economy. Climate change-induced sea-level rise (1-2 cm per year) and warming (Indian Ocean temperatures rising by 1°C) exacerbate erosion rates”, he added.
Insights into data and
measurement gaps
There is insufficient data on sediment transport, near shore bathymetry, and river sediment supply from the Sal and Zuari rivers. “There’s limited quantification of human interventions like sand mining. Existing shoreline data shows conflicting trends due to seasonal and storm-induced fluctuations”, he added.
