PANAJI
The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), which is entrusted with the task of conducting the revised beach-carrying capacity study of the coastal belt, will be undertaking a Geographic Information System (GIS-based) study to explore the maximum permitted tourism activities along the beaches.
After almost seven years, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) – the nodal agency for undertaking the exercise – has appointed NIO for the revised beach-carrying capacity study, which is expected to be completed within a period of 18 months.
According to the proposal, the NIO will analyse the climate change impact, coastal erosion and other aspects and estimate the available beach space in future along the Goa coast for beach shack allotment.
The study will identify and geo-position optimal numbers of shacks that can be permitted along the coast.
The study area includes the entire coastal stretch, including the no-development zone of creeks, rivers, etc., as per CZMP 2019, and up to 500 metres of the coast where developmental activities are permitted with prior approval.
It was in 2017 that the last beach-carrying capacity study was undertaken through the Chennai-based National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM). The NCSCM had permitted 1,131 shacks for the entire coastal area; however, currently on average, 360 shacks are permitted on beaches.
NCSCM had recommended that only 33 per cent of the beach area can be made available for the erection of shacks after deducting the ecologically sensitive areas, river mouths, creeks, fishing space, and buffer areas at entry points. The agency had advised the government to revise the carrying capacity study after five years.
The study is expected to take into consideration the State government’s recommendation that the temporary structures in the no-development zone along the coast and along the banks of rivers/estuaries be permitted except in the eco-sensitive areas as shown in the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011 and CRZ 2019 notification.
The GCZMA will be adopting the guiding principles set by NCSCM for determining the carrying capacity of shacks and huts/cottages, tents in privately surveyed plots.
