30 percent economic activity in Goa at risk due to global warming

Over 30 percent of economic activity in tourism-centric Goa was vulnerable to global warming, a leading academic has said.

Mangesh Nagarajan, a senior faculty at the Goa Institute of Management, the state's topmost B-School, said 1.47 lakh people also faced employment risk due to sea level rise.

"Thirty percent economic activity in Goa is vulnerable to global warming, especially its seven coastal sub districts," Nagarajan said Wednesday at a function here ahead of World Environment Day Thursday.

He said nearly 1.47 lakh tourism-oriented jobs dealing with hospitality, transport, fishing, water sports sectors etc were at risk due to global warming.

Goa's coastline, according to top green officials, has risen by 10 inches over the last decade. Rapid sand erosion as well and coastal inundation has also been a cause of concern for coastal communities in recent times.

Besides, Nagarajan said foundations of several resorts and hotels in the coastal villages of Anjuna were corroding due to sea level rise.

"There has to be proper enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone laws and control on realty in these areas," Nagarajan said.

Goa is one of the top beach tourism destinations in India and attracts three million tourists annually.