PANJIM: Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai is of the view that the issue of preservation of turtle nesting sites needs to be delinked from other Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations, to ensure sustenance of the tourism industry on the beaches.
Stating that tourism helps in conservation of turtle nesting areas, Sardesai said that blanket demolition of beach shacks will affect livelihood of many and will practically wipe out entire economies of some villages.
Sardesai has moved note to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant with regards to Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (GCZMA) order to demolish 171 structures operating illegally in the No Development Zone identified as turtle nesting sites at Mandrem, Morjim, Agonda and Galgibag coastal belt. The High Court has however, stayed the order till June 10.
Sardesai said the demolition order has apparently been served because of certain strictures passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with regards to preservation of turtle nesting sites and certain violations of the CRZ regulations.
“It is vital that, in order to ensure a one-time and long term solution, and to ensure sustenance of the tourism industry on these beaches, the issue of preservation of turtle nesting sites needs to be delinked from the issue of other CRZ violations,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister wants Forest and Tourism Departments to intervene in the matter before NGT and put up its case.
Sardesai urged Chief Minister to ensure Tourism Department intervenes in the matter and bring to the notice of the tribunal that tourism is actually helping the conservation process. “Also, many livelihoods would be affected, practically wiping out entire economies of some villages, if steps such as blanket demolition of beach shacks are carried out,” he commented
“Forest Department should submit a presentation to the NGT highlighting the facts that turtle hatching has flourished over the last few years and that this is because of the active participation from the locals and tourists, who have protected turtle nesting sites,” Sardesai stated.
He also said Forest Department should demarcate the turtle nesting sites on beaches, such as Agonda, where this has not been done, and submit the management plans for protecting these sites.
Sardesai said it is imperative that the stakeholders are part of the entire process, so that they are aware of the regulations they should abide by and also to ensure transparency.
NGT has imposed fine of Rs one crore on GCZMA for failing to act against the illegal structures as directed by the tribunal via an order passed in November 2017.
