Panaji, July 20 - Seven beaches of Goa, where many popular tourist resorts were located, are reeling under the threat of sea erosion, state Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues said.

'In all, 21 stretches which are spread over a length of 11.22 km (of coastal area) have been affected,' he said in a written reply to the state legislative assembly.

He said the seven beaches include the Coco beach, Tiracol beach, Candolim beach in North Goa and Betalbatim beach and Arosim beach in South Goa. Rodrigues said the hill slopes on which the governor's residence is located was also under threat.

'Remedial measures for protection of Cabo Hill slopes adjacent to Raj Bhavan Goa have been suggested by Geological Survey of India (GSI). Installation of cable anchors inclined micro piles and vertical piles are undertaken,' Rodrigues said.

In the past, various government agencies have repeatedly warned of steady erosion of beaches due to global warming, sand extraction and other reasons.

The Water Resources Department has said the presence of a beached cargo ship MV River Princess has also resulted in the erosion of 1.1 km of beach along the Candolim-Sinquerim stretch.