Coastal authorities in Goa have dismissed local concerns over alleged destruction of sand dunes along the Anjuna-Vagator beach belt, stating that the site does not qualify as a sand dune ecosystem or a notified turtle nesting ground under official environmental classifications. The decision comes in response to complaints filed by biodiversity committee members and residents, who accused beachside construction of damaging coastal vegetation and marine habitats. However, coastal officials ruled that no credible evidence supported the allegations, relying on a 2011 land use plan and a recent site inspection that confirmed removal of illegal structures.
The issue first surfaced in October 2024 when Anjuna residents lodged formal objections against what they described as environmental degradation linked to recreational activities, including water sports. They alleged that vegetation had been stripped, temporary structures had emerged, and fragile sand dune formations were being flattened in violation of coastal regulation norms. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) responded by inspecting the disputed location at Survey No. 354/1 in Anjuna, Vagator. The inspection uncovered two sheds and a set of 14 vessels parked along the beach, with signs of cleared beach vegetation, prompting official scrutiny. While the inspection confirmed that beachside construction had occurred, coastal officials emphasised that the structures in question had since been dismantled, and debris removed from the site following a compliance submission from the landholder.
Crucially, they found no ongoing encroachment or unauthorised flattening of sand dunes. According to the GCZMA, neither the original property layout nor the inspection results suggested any damage to notified sand dune terrain. The area, officials clarified, was not included in the state’s designated sand dune zones under the 2011 Coastal Zone Management Plan. One of the primary concerns raised by local complainants was the possible disruption of turtle nesting habitats. However, coastal authorities pointed out that only four beaches in Goa—Mandrem, Morjim, Galgibaga, and Agonda—are designated as turtle nesting sites under India’s Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. The Anjuna-Vagator stretch does not fall under this category, and no biological evidence was submitted to counter the official classification. As a result, authorities concluded that no protection norms related to marine biodiversity had been breached in the case.
Officials also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between perception-based objections and evidence-based findings. Although complainants maintained that the ecosystem was vulnerable and potentially eligible for conservation, the lack of ecological proof or scientific mapping made it difficult to validate those claims within existing legal frameworks. The GCZMA underlined that any future reclassification or environmental zoning would require technical evaluations and fresh notifications. For now, the site remains excluded from protective categories, with no violation established under the current norms.
