World Bank has sanctioned approximately Rs. 3 Crore for India's first sand dune parks and interpretation centers. Interpretation centers will be a type of educational center where local citizens and tourists will be made aware of the importance and conservation of seaside sand dunes.
Owing to its long coastline bordering the Arabian Sea, the state has a wonderful dune ecosystem that has formed over hundreds of years and this need to be protected. Park would also have Bridges made of nature-friendly material to reduce trampling on sand dune vegetation. Besides this, nurseries of sand dune vegetation will also be set up, which will enable its replantation on beach stretches where vegetation has gone extinct.
About coastal sand dunes:
· A coastal sand dune is a mount, hill or ridge of sand formed mainly by wind’s action. They lie behind the beach affected by tides.
· They are formed in many years when windblown sand is trapped by beach grass.
· Sand dunes can be important ecosystems supporting unique plant life and a healthy population of small animals and insects.
· These sand dunes have been considered as ecologically sensitive areas under Coastal Regulation Zone-I (a) under Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011.
The idea of parks to preserve sand dunes was first mooted by former NIO scientist and ex member of GSBB (Goa State Biodiversity Board) Antonio Mascarenhas. Morjim and Galgibaga beaches, known for their turtle nesting sites will also get sand dune parks.
There are many such sand dune parks across the world, such as the Great Sand Dunes National Park in the US, some of which are complex geologic stories going back millions of years. Dune management involves restoring eroded areas and stabilizing others using vegetation and fencing in order to help, not obstruct, the dune-forming processes to conserve the ecosystem. World Bank has sanctioned approximately 3 crores for India's first sand dune parks and interpretation centres. Interpretation centers will be a type of educational center where local citizens and tourists will be made aware of the importance and conservation of seaside sand dunes.
Owing to its long coastline bordering the Arabian Sea, the state has a wonderful dune ecosystem that has formed over hundreds of years and this need to be protected. Park would also have Bridges made of nature-friendly material to reduce trampling on sand dune vegetation. Besides this, nurseries of sand dune vegetation will also be set up, which will enable its replantation on beach stretches where vegetation has gone extinct.
About coastal sand dunes:
· A coastal sand dune is a mount, hill or ridge of sand formed mainly by wind’s action. They lie behind the beach affected by tides.
· They are formed in many years when windblown sand is trapped by beach grass.
· Sand dunes can be important ecosystems supporting unique plant life and a healthy population of small animals and insects.
· These sand dunes have been considered as ecologically sensitive areas under Coastal Regulation Zone-I (a) under Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011.
The idea of parks to preserve sand dunes was first mooted by former NIO scientist and ex member of GSBB (Goa State Biodiversity Board) Antonio Mascarenhas. Morjim and Galgibaga beaches, known for their turtle nesting sites will also get sand dune parks.
There are many such sand dune parks across the world, such as the Great Sand Dunes National Park in the US, some of which are complex geologic stories going back millions of years. Dune management involves restoring eroded areas and stabilizing others using vegetation and fencing in order to help, not obstruct, the dune-forming processes to conserve the ecosystem.