Four scientists from the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) will attend the public consultations on the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) in Goa on July 8.
Following a request by the State government, Chennai-based NCSCM has deputed scientists Vimal K C, Balaguru B, Soundararajan K and Sukrit Dey to attend the public hearings.
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Environment Director Dashrath Redkar said the public hearings will help NCSCM scientists to get feedback and the views and suggestions by the speakers can be incorporated while finalising the plan.
Redkar said that water proof pandals with a seating capacity of 1000 people will be erected at both venues, besides providing facilities like
bio-toilets, drinking water and giant screens, while COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) will be strictly adhered to.
Redkar said that each speaker will be given 15 minutes to make his/her suggestions or objections. Only speakers who produce identity proof will be allowed to participate at the public hearings and the district collectors will have the discretion to extend the duration of the speaker.
Redkar said that the department has taken into consideration suggestions made by some environmentalists and during the next few days the department will start a campaign to spread awareness about the CZMP in print, electronic and on social media. The department is of the opinion that the awareness campaign will give enough information to the people, especially the speakers, who can avoid repetition and restrict their speeches to valid suggestions.
The department of environment has also requested the South Goa collector to relax the National Security Act (NSA) imposed in the South Goa district while, the North Goa collector has been requested to relax Section 144 CrPC in view of public hearings.
