MARGAO
A recent Goa shoreline study conducted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) on beach erosion has revealed that all the beaches undergo both erosion and accretion, with the study pointing out that South Goa coast is comparatively more prone to erosion.
The report has further come across significant shoreline dynamics after 2010. The study has further pointed out that consistent decrease in stable coasts noted in both North and South Goa during the assessment period.
The Goa government had engaged the services of Chennai-based National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) to conduct shoreline study. Accordingly, NCSCM scientists had conducted a study last month by inspecting the State’s beach belt.
A presentation made by NCSCM at the two-day national workshop on Capacity Building for Erosion Study in the State of Goa has made startling revelation that erosion of the beach has increased from 27 kms to 39 kms along Goa’s coast between 1990 and 2024, with South Goa being more prone than the North. Simultaneously, accretion increased from 4.8 km to 17.55 km, indicating highly dynamic coastal processes.
The study has revealed that North Goa has gradual shoreline change. The coastal length of North Goa is about 47.53km, of which 42 per cent of the coast is rocky and 58 per cent sandy.
Comparatively, the coastal length of South Goa is about 117.29 km, of which 60 per cent of the coast is rocky and 40 per cent sandy, with the study asserting that South Goa is comparatively highly prone to erosion.
The study has further shown that all beaches undergo both erosion and accretion, adding that significant shoreline dynamics has been noted after 2010. The study has further shown consistent decrease in stable coasts noted in both North and South Goa during the assessed period.
During field observations, the NCSCM scientists found a couple of eroding beaches, including Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Anjuna, Candolim, Coco, Betul, Galgibag, Utorda, Majorda, Mobor, etc.
During the field visit, the team came across accreting beaches at Baga, Calangute, Pali, Colva, Miramar, Patnem, Talpona, etc.
A glance at the Goa shoreline changes compiled by NCSCM has revealed that erosion of North Goa beach belt has increased from 9.42 km in 1990 to 14.31 kms in 2024. Similarly, accretion of the beach belt increased from 3.69 kms in 1990 to 8.22 kms in 2024.
As far as South Goa beach belt is concerned, the findings have shown that from 18.38 kms erosion in 1990, the erosion has gone up to 25.21 kms in 2024. Correspondingly, the beach accretion in South Goa has increased from 1.11 kms in 1990 to around 9.33 kms in 2024.
Director, Science and Climate Change, Johnson Fernandes has stated the study has noted discrepancies between satellite data and on-ground physical findings, highlighting the need for integrated data sources.
