Goa's Candolim beach has lost tourism potential: Govt

Although the state government managed to dismantle M/V River Princess this year, the beach stretch has been damaged, displacing the shacks and other tourism related activities since the ship ran aground there in 2000.

State Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told the Legislative Assembly today that the water resources department has floated tenders for the protection of the beach at Candolim and it's accretion.S

Some sand nourishment will also be taken up for beach formation and to improve the bathymetry (measuring ocean depth) of the coastline, he said.

The minister said District Collector Mihir Vardhan has carried out an assessment of damage caused to the environment due to River Princess.

The report mentions that the presence of the huge ship aided the erosion of the beach stretch when sand dunes were washed away by waves and cliffs of more than 4 to 6 meters in height were formed, which were collapsing.

"Since the sand dunes, which were forming a sort of protective cover, were washed away, the properties along the beach were severely affected by the sea erosion," the report, tabled on the floor of the House, said.

The disastrous effect of the vessel on the land are difficult to quantify in terms of financial losses, particularly the adverse effect on the tourism industry, the report said.

"The enormous amount of public beach lost has definitely had a negative impact on the tourism in Candolim and Sinquerim beaches as is evident from the fact that the hotels located on the beaches, especially the five star ones have reported reduced occupancy," it mentioned.