TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Pointing out that the sea level has increased by nearly three millimetres per year – which is twice that of three decades ago - experts have predicted that the coastal State such as Goa will have a tremendous socio and economic impact as almost 30 percent of tourism related economic activity was vulnerable to this.
According to Goa State Pollution Control Board, the state’s coastline has risen by 10 inches over the last decade and that rapid sand erosion as well and coastal inundation is a cause of concern for coastal communities in recent times.
Speaking Thursday, National Institute of Oceanography scientist Dr A S Unnikrishnan claimed that the sea level rise was 1.8 millimetres three decades ago but it has now increased to three millimetres per year due to various factors. He was speaking during a World Environment day function organized by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), where Environment and Forest Minister Alina Saldanha was the chief guest.
Unnikrishnan also said that studies are still on to ascertain the reason behind the sea level rise whether it is natural variability or global warming. Pointing out that rise in sea level phenomenon was going to continue even after 2100, he hastened to add that people should not fear catastrophes.
Unnikrishnan said that since 1992, satellite altimeter has been used to measure the sea level change.
"Since last couple of years Indo-French satellite SARAL-Altika is measuring the changes in glaciers which is contributing for the sea level rise," said the researcher who is part of team monitoring the shore water rise.
The Goa Institute of Management (GIM) in its presentation on ‘socio-economic perspectives of global warming impact on Goa’ said that over 70,000 household and a population of around 14.7 lakh would have to fight for survival due to rising sea levels, considering that tourism related activities and fishing was the only livelihood of these people.
“The sea level rise would have a major impact on tourism, fishing, agriculture and shipping. Thirty percent economic activity in Goa is vulnerable to global warming, especially in its seven coastal talukas,” Prof Magesh Nagarajan, operation management GIM said, pointing out that nearly 1.47 lakh tourism-oriented jobs dealing with hospitality, transport, fishing, water sports sectors etc are at risk due to global warming.
http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Rising-sea-level-will-take-a-toll-on-Goa-experts/89494.html
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