Varca’s Pedda locality residents raised alarm over the illegal cutting of a coastal sand dune, allegedly to drain water from a local waterbody into the sea. Locals fear this act has already triggered sea water intrusion into their farmlands, threatening their livelihoods and the fragile coastal ecosystem. Authorities have been urged to intervene immediately.
The quiet agricultural village of Pedda in South Goa erupted in protest after a sand dune near the Handi waterbody was reportedly cut overnight with the help of a JCB machine. Locals and farmers argue this act was a reckless violation of coastal zone norms, as the dune acted as a natural barrier protecting fields and inland areas from saltwater intrusion.
Farmers expressed alarm as they discovered saline seawater had begun entering their fields through the breach in the dune. They claimed the traditional drainage path of the Handi’s water into the sea involved creating a small, natural outlet and not machine-excavated channels that rupture the landscape. Their immediate concern is irreversible damage to crops and soil salinity that could threaten year-round cultivation.
Environmental concerns have also come to the fore. Residents stated that this was not the first instance of dune tampering in Varca, warning of long-term ecological consequences. Coastal sand dunes serve as natural defences against rising sea levels and storm surges. Disrupting them for unplanned drainage not only endangers biodiversity but also violates Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms under national environmental laws.
Angry villagers have demanded that authorities, including the CRZ enforcement body, investigate the incident, identify those responsible, and initiate criminal action for violating the protected coastal ecosystem. As a precautionary step, locals have temporarily sealed the trench with sand to halt the entry of seawater. They insist on urgent restoration and long-term safeguards to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The Pedda protest is a growing sign of coastal communities standing up for sustainable land and water management amid rising climate threats. Locals argue that while water drainage is essential, it must not come at the cost of environmental destruction and food security. As Goa faces increasing ecological strain, officials are under pressure to uphold environmental regulations and protect its vulnerable coastal ecosystems.
