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Famed Goa beaches under threat from rains, reckless construction
Jun 28, 2007, 8:07 GMT
New Delhi - The world-famous beaches in India's south-western state of
Goa are facing a battle for survival following incursions by the sea
amid heavy monsoon rains and human activities, a newspaper report said
Thursday.
Torrential showers lashing the state for the past week have seen several
beaches disappear underwater for the first time in history, the Indian
Express daily reported.
The sea had encroached upon 'fragile' land and affected the beach cover
along with the trees, coconut groves and even houses and shades meant
for boats.
But experts and locals said the main reason for the disappearance of the
beaches was because of reckless construction activities by builders.
Among the beaches under threat are Campal and Coco in northern Goa.
Locals told the Express that builders had cut down trees and vegetation
near the Coco beach, leading to erosion and encroachment by the sea.
Betalbatim and Majorda beaches in South Goa were also facing threat due
to the erosion.
'Hotels and other business establishments near the beaches have
destroyed the sand dunes and lush vegetation that control tidal waves,'
Nandkumar Kamat, a scientist with the Goa University told the paper,
blaming human interference for the degradation of the beaches.
Arvind Utawale, an expert on coastal science and mangroves, said that 80
per cent of mangroves along the Indian coast had been destroyed because
of the apathy of the politicians and the local administration.
'They want to get rid of the mangroves and sand dunes for so-called
development. Cutting forests of mangroves will further devastate human
beings,' he said.
Goa is internationally renowned for its picturesque beaches and attracts
thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year. It is among the
most popular tourist destinations in India and attracts 1.2 million
tourists annually, mostly from US and Europe.
http://science.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1323428.php/Famed_Goa
_beaches_under_threat_from_rains_reckless_construction
~(^^)~
Avelino
