Erosion forces fishermen to build wall on Morjim beach

PANAJI: Around two kilometres away from the turtle nesting site on Morjim beach stretch in Pernem taluka, local fishermen of Vithaldas wada have taken up construction of a concrete wall on the beach. While the construction may have environmentalists aghast, the incident has brought to light the plight of local communities dependent on fishing for livelihood.
The increase in extreme weather events like Cyclone Tauktae and the sand erosion, both caused by climate change, are having a devastating impact on the lives of fishermen communities.
Frustrated after their canoes and fishing nets were damaged due to impact of Cyclone Tauktae, the fishermen said they decided to take matters in their own hands and began construction of the concrete wall.
“A proposal has been pending with the water resources department since 2017 and the matter was being personally pursued by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Over the years, no anti-erosion measures have been taken up based on the proposal. For many years now, fishermen have been asking government to provide for shelters for their canoes and to store their fishing equipment, but nothing is being done, leaving fishing communities to face loses each time water level rises,” said panch member of Vithaldas wada Vilas Morje, adding that the wall being constructed is in no way harming the turtle nesting site, which is at some distance.
The fishermen said in the absence of a Coastal Zone Management Plan for Goa, the demarcation of 100 mts land area from the high tide line is yet to be taken up, reserving this area exclusively for fishing activities.
“In the absence of the coastal plan, the hotels have encroached in this area which is within 100mts from the high tide line. So there is no way for us to pull our canoes in the road’s direction to safety. On the beach side, sand erosion is reducing the width of the stretch and exposing our equipment to the impact of the waves. To break this impact, we are constructing the 190ms long wall,” said a fisherman.
A concrete wall constructed by WRD, covering around two kilometres of the coastal stretch in Morjim, already exists, to break the impact of the waves.
Officials, however, did not confirm on Thursday if a proposal has been pending for construction of an anti-erosion structure for the Vithaldas wada stretch.
But it is not only the case with Morjim. Fishermen on Polem beach stretch in Canacona are also facing a similar threat to their livelihood, with no measures coming forth from the state.
Fishermen Ankush Pagi said the government should assist them with a shelter to house their fishing boats and fishing nets, in absence of which they have to leave the equipment on the beach.
Over the years, Polem beach stretch in Canacona has suffered significant sand erosion and the situation has worsened now by the impact of Cyclone Tauktae with several casuarina trees uprooted.
“A simple look at the state of the beach at present is telling of how, if some protective measures are not taken on a priority, there will be tough days ahead not only for the fishermen but those residing near the beach too,” said Pagi.