An experiment to restore coastal sand dunes at Miramar beach, Goa: An appraisal

Abstract

A first ever experiment to re-establish flattened sand dunes was conducted in April 2007 at Miramar beach, Goa. The critical area constitutes a 160 meter long N-S frontal beach strip which is flat, bare, devoid of vegetation, and hence degraded. Loss of vegetation is attributed to continuous trampling by humans, resulting in the creation of loose free sand that gets transported landwards. During windy days, large quantities of beach sand are blown from the beach and subsequently accumulate on the adjacent roads. Driven by highest wind speeds during June -August (36 km/h in 2004 and even 60 km/h in 2007), this episode is most intense during this period every year. A recurring phenomenon, sand deposits on the traffic circle creates nuisance to circulating traffic. Erection of 1 m high wooden sand fences, an effective way that traps moving sand and provokes prevailing winds to deposit their sand content, was recommended as a remedial measure to: (1) curtail loss of beach sand, and (2) recreate new sand dunes. Three months later, in July 2007, results obtained were encouraging. Whereas several truckloads of sand were removed from the traffic circle every year, only a negligible amount of sand found its way on the road (in 2007), after the fences were installed. Regeneration of dunes is evidenced by 'ipomoea' vegetation that has rooted itself on the accumulated sand, behind several fences. Well formed dunes, about 70 cm in height and with a carpet of 'ipomoea' creepers, were observed by August 2008. It is therefore possible to stop the movement of sand by trapping it on the beach itself. Over time, accreted sand will evolve into stable sand dunes. A comparison with dune reconstruction initiatives using sand fences along the coasts of Portugal is briefly discussed. The initial success of the dune building experiment at Miramar has since been ratified by the local municipal authorities