Panaji: Dutch agency Deltaras engaged by Goa govt to implement shoreface nourishment measures against sand erosion along the state’s beach stretches has completed its first exploratory stage. In the second phase, Deltaras will help a local agency create a model of the local morphological system and carry out interpretation of the results.The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has asked the environment department to make a detailed presentation before the second phase on the terms and conditions to be stipulated in the approval. Deltaras will charge 32 lakh for the work.The first meeting was held in April last year, followed by another in July 2025, where Deltaras’ senior researcher Bastian Huisman said that based on satellite imagery from 1985 to 2020, erosion was noticed along Querim, Mandrem and Morjim beach stretches, though Morjim was found to be more stable.In South Goa, Benaulim and Velsao were seen to have experienced accretion and erosion, while smaller net erosion was seen from Betalbatim to Cavelossim. Palolem was seen to have natural erosion.However, Deltaras’ report stated that big interventions were not required for Goa’s beach erosion and that natural solutions were sufficient to address the issue.In all, eight erosion hotspots were identified along Goa’s shore.Deltaras also advised Goa that while selecting a coastal stretch for implementation of beach nourishment, the economic value of the stretch also needs to be taken into consideration.In Oct 2023, a delegation from Goa had visited Deltaras as govt wanted to explore a nature-based solution to coastal erosion for the state and techniques of beach nourishment and sand motor technology were discussed for a pilot project.The state environment department then engaged Deltaras to evaluate the causes of beach erosion in Goa. Deltaras carried out the assessment for Goa based on data to understand the functioning of the local morphological system. The first phase of exploration has been completed by the agency now.In the first phase, Deltaras has submitted a report titled ‘Mobor sand erosion’ as a preliminary analysis of the functioning of Goa beaches. Mobor was to be a showcase for other beaches.A workshop was subsequently held in Nov 2024 on developing a strategy by using methods such as sand motor for restoration of the eroded stretches in Goa.A committee consisting of national institutes such as National Institute of Oceanography was formed to examine all the reports on accretion and erosion for Goa, conduct ground truthing and identify coastal stretches for implementation of the sand motor technology.
