CMC officials visit erosion-hit Palolem

CANACONA: Heavy erosion of coastal areas in Palolem and Overem is bothering the owners of restaurants and nearby houses who have complained of large patches of sandy beaches being washed away during the last four days.
Canacona municipal council (CMC) chairperson Ramakant Naik Gaonkar said, "It has been noticed during the last three years, especially during the rainy season in Palolem, Patnem and Rajbhag beach."
The erosion of beaches from the southernmost tip of Polem to Agonda in Canacona taluka has left a trail of devastation, though it is considered a natural phenomenon and accretion of sand and restoration takes place by October.
The fury of massive waves has carved out chunks of the sandy coastline and also deposited tar balls along the shoreline. In some places like Rajbhag, Devavell, strong waves have cut into sand dunes.
Conceding that erosion is a seasonal phenomenon, CMC chief officer Alex Pereira said a committee has been formed to discuss the issue. Regarding the danger to houses and restaurants near the beach, he said the shacks have to be dismantled by June 15 after the end of the tourism season. "We will file an affidavit regarding the illegal structures before the high court," he said.
Meanwhile, CMC officials visited the sites at Palolem on Tuesday and took stock of the situation.