Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ordered to Restore Morjim Beach Dunes After Environmental Violations

Panaji, Goa — September 18, 2025 The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has been directed by environmental authorities to restore the sand dunes at Morjim Beach following reports that recent infrastructure development had significantly damaged the ecologically-sensitive dune systems. Morjim Beach, apart from being a popular tourist destination, is also a critical nesting site for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles. The dunes play important roles in coastal protection, biodiversity, and beach ecology. According to inspection reports, GTDC’s activities—part of ongoing infrastructure development efforts intended to boost tourism—violated coastal regulation zone (CRZ) guidelines. Among the damages identified were removal or flattening of dune ridges, compaction of the sand, decrease in native vegetation that stabilises the dunes, and other disturbances which increase the vulnerability of the beach to erosion and habitat disruption. In response, government authorities have ordered that GTDC must immediately undertake remedial environmental measures. These measures are expected to include re-planting native dune-vegetation species, reshaping and rebuilding the dune ridges, removing infrastructure that encroaches upon or disrupts the buffer zones, and ensuring drainage and hydrology patterns are restored to prevent further damage. Authorities are also expected to enforce stricter oversight to ensure that future infrastructure activity along Morjim Beach conforms to CRZ norms and does not further damage nesting habitats. The decision has drawn attention from conservationists who say this is a positive move but only a partial remedy. Morjim Beach is one of the western coasts of India where Olive Ridley turtles come to lay eggs, usually between November and March. If dunes are damaged, not only is the physical habitat compromised, but sand temperature, moisture retention, and other micro-environmental factors important for successful turtle nesting may also be adversely affected. Conservation groups are calling for continuous monitoring during nesting seasons, public awareness campaigns about the importance of dunes, and possibly stricter regulation in tourism infrastructure planning. GTDC officials have reportedly acknowledged the directive and stated that they will cooperate with the restoration process. However, they also note that some of the damage was caused over time by combined factors—tourist foot traffic, informal structures, and lack of prior oversight—and so restoration may take time. The balance between promoting tourism and safeguarding natural assets remains a delicate issue. Local communities near Morjim have welcomed the order, especially those whose livelihoods depend on beach-ecosystem health (fishing, eco-tourism, guiding). They have voiced concerns that unchecked development could degrade the natural beauty and ecological value of the beach, which in turn could harm long-term tourism and the coastal environment. Some have suggested establishing community-led dune monitoring and enforcing visitor limits during sensitive periods. Overall, the directive to restore Morjim Beach dunes marks a moment of reckoning in Goa’s coastal development trajectory — a reminder that environmental regulation, especially in coastal zones, must be meaningfully enforced if ecological integrity and tourism potential are to coexist sustainably.