Goa CM Pramod Sawant has asked the Centre for a grant of Rs. 700 crore so that Goa can build new dams, increase the capacity of already-existing dams, and stop soil erosion.
On Saturday, Sawant requested the centre during the pre-budget meeting. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the meeting.
He stated that in addition to fortifying water reservoirs, there should be shielding of coastal areas from soil erosion.
He said, “I have demanded Rs 700 crore for water augmentation projects and for taking measures to stop soil erosion.”
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Goa CM affirmed that these initiatives are essential for the development of the state and that the Central government will integrate these initiatives in the upcoming union budget.
Recently, Goa CM has urged the locals to incorporate bamboo production to prevent the soil erosion of coastal areas. Drawing light on the initiative, Goa CM Sawant said, “We have focused on bamboo plantation. Wherever there are rivers and beaches, soil erosion is taking place on a large scale. We can stop this by planting bamboo.”
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has noted in the Beach Carrying Capacity Report that, for a coastal stretch of approximately 105 km, 35% of the coast is made up of rocky terrain, 20% of the coast is stable, 27% of the coast is eroding, and 17% of the coast experiences accretion, according to the Environment and Climate Change department.
The soil erosion is affecting the tourism business in the area, The complain from the MLA of coastal areas highlighted.
