Team Herald
MARGAO: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has highlighted Goa’s persistent failure to finalize its Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) under the CRZ Notification of 2019.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The MoEF&CC, in its response, stressed that Goa remains governed by the CRZ Notification of 2011, as the state has failed to update its CZMP to reflect the enhanced provisions of the 2019 notification. The revised CZMP would include stricter safeguards for Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and more comprehensive regulatory measures. However, until it is finalized, all development and regulatory activities in Goa are assessed under the older framework.
The delay has persisted for nearly five years, with Goa missing multiple deadlines since the 2019 notification was issued. The state’s inability to meet the October 2023 deadline set by the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA), and a subsequent extension to May 2024, reflects the slow progress. With the January 2025 deadline fast approaching, the situation has reached a critical juncture.
The bottleneck lies in Goa’s failure to secure approval for its revised 2011 CZMP, scaled to 1:4,000, which was submitted to the NCZMA in September 2024. Approval of this plan is essential before drafting the CZMP in compliance with the 2019 notification. The National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), tasked with preparing the updated plan, has confirmed that the draft 2019 CZMP will only be ready by January 2025 if the earlier plan is approved without delay.
Despite the urgency, Goa remains the only coastal state yet to make significant progress on its 2019 CZMP.
In its comprehensive submission to the NGT in the Borim bridge case, the Ministry detailed the evolution of coastal regulations in India for clarity. The original CRZ Notification of 1991, which sought to balance development with environmental protection, was replaced by the 2011 notification. The latter aimed to secure livelihoods for fisher communities while regulating activities along coastal stretches. The 2019 notification introduced additional measures, such as prioritizing ESAs and mandating updated CZMPs for states. However, until these updates are completed, states like Goa remain bound by the 2011 regulations.
The Ministry’s remarks highlighted the broader implications of Goa’s delay. The continued reliance on outdated regulations has hindered the implementation of the 2019 notification’s stricter guidelines, leaving the state’s coastal areas vulnerable to unregulated development. Environmentalists have criticized the delays, warning that they undermine efforts to protect fragile ecosystems and expose the state to potential legal challenges.
The NGT, known for its proactive stance on environmental compliance, is expected to take serious note of these delays. With less than a month remaining to meet the January 2025 deadline, Goa risks further scrutiny and potential legal repercussions. The Tribunal has the authority to hold the state accountable for failing to meet its obligations under national directives.
The MoEF&CC’s statement has brought renewed attention to the systemic inefficiencies in Goa’s coastal management efforts.
Activists frown over inordinate delays
Team Herald
MARGAO: Local activists and community leaders have raised serious concerns about the prolonged delay in finalizing Goa’s Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), highlighting potential threats to traditional fishing communities and coastal ecosystems.
Dixon Vaz, Cavelossim Sarpanch, emphasized the importance of inclusive planning that benefits local residents. “The CZMP must benefit the locals who are the inhabitants of the area. The plan must be done by taking the village panchayat and locals in confidence. The fishing communities and the toddy tappers interest needs to be protected. There cannot be more delay as most of other states have already submitted,” said Vaz.
Olencio Simoes, General Secretary of Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE), expressed deep concern about the potential misuse of this administrative delay. “Our main concern is that any delay in finalising the CZMP could be used to push for tourism commercial projects or even government projects via Sagarmala that want to forcibly displace traditional fishermen whose traditional dwellings are meant to be protected under the
CRZ Rules.”
Environmentalist Savio Santos from Carmona took a firm stance: Till the time CZMP for the new CRZ 2019 is made no permissions whether permanent or temporary should be allowed in CRZ areas in Goa.”
Jack Mascarenhas, President of the NGO Goyche Fuddle Pillge Khatir (GFPK), emphasized the broader implications.
