Team Herald
PANJIM: Facing a severe backlash over various Central sponsored infrastructure projects proposed in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas without the knowledge of the State, the Goa government has now proposed to make its prior approval in-principle mandatory before placing the projects in public domain. The government has made the recommendation to be incorporated in the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), the public hearing for which has been scheduled on March 7.
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In a series of recommendations, Department of Environment and Climate Change has also proposed that no further increase in coal handling at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) be permitted beyond the capacities currently allowed by Goa State Pollution Control Board.
However, as the recommendations, submitted by the State do not fall within the purview of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), the issue will be taken up separately with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) after the public hearing for final deliberation and decision.
Detailing out the highlights of the CZMP, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral on Wednesday said that the State has proposed that for any major infrastructure projects in CRZ areas, which require Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, consultation, etc, prior approval in principle of the State government should be obtained before the project is placed in public domain.
He said that there are many projects proposed in CRZ areas by the Centre, without the knowledge of the State government. “Many projects like marina are coming from the top. State authorities then act as per law. But it is important that we are made aware about these projects. State needs to be informed in advance, its prior approval is a must,” Cabral said.
The Minister said that the government will ensure that this recommendation is incorporated in the CZMP and notified, thus making it binding on all the projects in the State in CRZ area.
Cabral said that as assured it has been decided to include that no further increase in coal handling at MPT, beyond the current permissible limit, will be permitted.
Further, the State has also recommended that temporary structures in no development zone along the coast and along river banks or estuaries shall be permitted except in Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESA) shown in CZMP plans with conditions like floor space index not exceed 0.33, open area shall be suitably landscaped with appropriate vegetation cover, overall height of the temporary structure shall not exceed nine meters and not be more than two floors, including ground and swimming pool not exceeding 50 sq mtrs.
“We have also proposed that CZMP maps should depict the mangroves in khazan lands as mangroves in khazans and there should not be buffer for these mangroves,” Cabral said.
The Minister further said that the State is popular for its beaches and there are high footfalls on the beaches thereby making it essential to provide adequate infrastructure for visiting tourists. “Such infrastructure like parking, toilets, changing rooms, floating jetties, waste treatment facilities, lifeguard towers, weddings, etc will be permitted in No Development Zone areas except in ESA,” he said.
Going with the CRZ rules, Cabral said that the CZMP has permitted construction of dwelling units of traditional coastal communities, especially fishermen community between 100-200 metres of HTL, giving much needed relief to the community.
“Also, we are making provision that henceforth for such dwelling units, permission from panchayats would be final. No need to seek CRZ permission,” he said.
The Minister said that as per the draft khazan land management plan, the khazan land identified including salt pans, aquaculture ponds is around 138.76 sq metres while mangroves are 41.12 sq kms, almost the double than what was reported in 1990 plan that is 20 sq kms.
He said that CZMP has identified port limits, as per the Central government notification. The port limit of MPT is up to the Zuari bridge, whereas the Betul port is limited to the small area near the mouth of River Sal.
