MAPUSA: Rapid destruction of sand dunes coupled with flourishing construction activity in violation of CRZ norms is threatening the Morjim beach.

This beach is a very important beach in the Pernem taluka; it is not just an attraction among tourists for being a very calm and peaceful  but it is also quite famous for being the area that plays host to turtle nesting.
Of late tourists have been frequenting this beach though the infrastructure here is yet to improve with the government making tall promises on the tourism front.
The beach has been a terrible victim of sand dune destruction. A large sand hill can be witnessed along the beach due to severe sand erosion.
Sand dunes along the beach are being destroyed and  surprisingly a large number of hotels and restaurants have also come up along the coastline.
These  commercial establishments  by resorting to construction activity in CRZ areas are violating all CRZ rules though they claim that they are compelled to undertake this construction activity so as to arrest   sand erosion which otherwise would bring down their structures.
A concerned villager Mr Nivrutti Shirodkar has said that the Morjim beach is facing a threat from destruction of sand dunes and also violation of CRZ norms and he wondered why there was no serious action forthcoming.
“The authorities must act tough to protect the beach. Destruction of sand dunes and violation of CRZ rules along the beach belt are two factors that are threatening the beach. Unless the authorities act tough there is no solution and the beach will continue to suffer,” he said.