The latest move by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to appoint the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) for a comprehensive study on the beach carrying capacity marks a significant step in addressing key issues along the State’s pristine coastline. After over seven years since the last assessment by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) in 2017, this initiative aims to evaluate how much of Goa’s beaches can sustainably accommodate tourism-related structures and activities. However, the critical question remains whether this new study would translate into effective regulation and genuine conservation, or is destined to become another paper exercise amid the chaos of rampant coastal exploitation.
The 2017 NCSCM report had already set a benchmark, recommending that only about 33% of beach areas be allocated for the erection of shacks, after excluding ecologically sensitive zones, river mouths, creeks, fishing spaces, and buffer zones. Goa’s beaches, especially the popular ones, have long suffered from overexploitation. Temporary and permanent structures, illegal shacks, unregulated beach decks and businesses have mushroomed, in blatant violation of laws and planning norms. This has not only degraded the environment but also compromised the very essence of Goa’s natural charm.
The new NIO-led study promises to investigate climate change impacts, coastal erosion, and future beach space availability. Its goal is to identify and geo-position the optimal number of shacks permissible along the coast and produce a report within 18 months. While this sounds promising on paper, history tempers expectations. Past experiences with coastal regulation in Goa have been fraught with challenges. There has never been a balance or a correlation between tourism revenue and ecological sustainability.
The crux of the matter lies in whether the government will genuinely adhere to the science-based recommendations or merely pay lip service. The Tourism department’s recent appeals to the GCZMA to consider previous NCSCM recommendations — such as limiting shack height to 9 metres, maintaining specific distances between structures, and implementing geo-coding for monitoring — highlight a possible willingness to regulate. Yet, enforcement remains the Achilles’ heel. Without strict compliance and political will, these studies risk becoming mere eyewash, offering a façade of regulation while the chaos on Goa’s beaches persists.
The broader issue is whether the State government is willing to regulate the influx of tourists and determine an ‘optimum’ level of tourism that the environment and locals can sustain. Balancing economic growth with environmental preservation requires more than studies; it demands decisive action, transparent enforcement, and people's involvement.
There is also skepticism about the efficacy of such studies in bringing about tangible change. Coastal zones are dynamic systems, influenced by climate change, erosion, and human activity. Merely quantifying capacity without addressing the root causes of overdevelopment and illegalities may not yield the desired results. Instead, these assessments should serve as the foundation for comprehensive, enforceable policies that limit overbuilding, regulate tourist flows, and protect ecological zones.
While the appointment of NIO to undertake a fresh beach carrying capacity study is a step in the right direction, it is only the beginning. The real test lies in translating scientific findings into effective regulation and enforcement. Without a firm political will and the participation of stakeholders, Goa risks continuing down the path of ecological degradation masked by cosmetic measures. Sustainable tourism and conservation must go hand-in-hand and only then can Goa preserve its coastal heritage for future generations.
