Goa’s forest department has proposed declaring 24 beaches as turtle nesting sites under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, a move that could bring tighter controls on lighting, beach shacks, events, vehicle movement and other nighttime activities during the olive ridley turtle nesting season.
The proposal was made in a letter from the forest department to the department of environment and climate change. It seeks the inclusion of 10 beaches in North Goa and 14 in South Goa as identified turtle nesting areas under the CRZ framework.
The North Goa beaches listed in the proposal are Morjim, Mandrem, Vagator, Calangute, Candolim, Keri, Miramar, Ashvem, Baga and Arambol. The South Goa list includes Rajbag, Mobor, Cabo de Rama, Patnem, Baina, Palolem, Cola, Carmona, Cavelossim, Varca, Talpona, Agonda and Galgibag.
“It is requested that the department of environment and climate change include all the listed beaches as turtle nesting sites under the CRZ 2019 notification,” the assistant conservator of forests said in the letter.
The proposed designation comes amid concerns over a decline in olive ridley turtle nesting numbers in Goa. The nesting season recorded fewer nests and eggs than in 2025, which itself followed a strong season in 2024, according to forest department data cited in the report.
Morjim beach, one of North Goa’s important turtle nesting sites, recorded 83 olive ridley nests during the latest season. These nests produced 8,599 eggs and 7,578 hatchlings so far, according to the data. In comparison, North Goa had recorded approximately 18,000 eggs until May 2025, with 12,857 hatchlings released into the sea at that time.
The CRZ 2019 notification classifies ecologically sensitive areas and their geomorphological features under CRZ-I. A senior forest department officer said these areas are recognised for their role in maintaining the integrity of the coast. The category includes mangroves, coral reefs, sand dunes, biologically active mudflats, national and marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests and wildlife habitats.
The notification also recognises turtle nesting grounds, horseshoe crab habitats, seagrass beds and bird nesting grounds among ecologically sensitive areas. Other protected areas are covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the Forest (Conservation) Act and the Environment (Protection) Act.
If the proposal is accepted, restrictions could affect how beach tourism and coastal activity are managed during the nesting season. The areas identified are among Goa’s busiest and most visited beaches, making the proposal relevant to tourism operators, local administrations, residents and visitors. The report, however, does not specify the final restrictions, enforcement arrangements or timeline for approval.
The forest department officer said a detailed environment management plan must be prepared by the respective state governments and Union territories for such ecologically sensitive areas. The plans are to be based on maps prepared by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in Chennai. The environment and climate change department’s decision on the proposal is awaited.
