Team Herald
MARGAO: Around 22 km of Goa’s coastline has been affected by erosion, according to data from the National Centre of Sustainable Coastal Management.
At a workshop held in Betalbatim, Goa’s Department of Environment collaborated with Deltares, a Dutch organisation specialising in water and delta management, to discuss sustainable strategies for coastal management. The event was inaugurated by Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira and included experts such as Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, Director of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), and officials from key coastal research institutions.
Coastal erosion, coupled with increased sand deposition in certain areas, threatens Goa’s beaches—essential to its identity as a global tourist destination. Minister Sequeira stressed the urgency of preserving these beaches, which are critical not just to the environment but also to the State’s economic well-being.
“The State has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure. Coastal erosion threatens this investment, making its mitigation an urgent priority,” he said.
The collaboration with Deltares was initiated after a delegation from Goa visited the Netherlands to learn about best practices in coastal management. Deltares’ expertise in sustainable coastal solutions is being tailored to Goa’s specific challenges.
Key discussions included analysing findings from ongoing studies and outlining actionable steps to protect the coastline. The workshop also facilitated knowledge exchange among Indian and international experts, fostering diverse perspectives on managing coastal changes.
The insights from this workshop are expected to lead to a detailed roadmap for mitigating erosion while supporting the growth of Goa’s tourism industry.