TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has reconstituted the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority for a three-year period.
The newly reconstituted 12-member committee is headed by the State Environment Secretary and includes Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Directors of Panchayats, Tourism, Industries, Chief Engineers of Water Resource Department, Public Works Department among others as members. The order was issued by Maninder Singh, Union Joint Secretary.
According to the order, the Authority will have the power to protect and improve the quality of the coastal environment and prevent, abate and control environmental pollution in the State including the examination of proposals for changes or modifications in classification of Coastal Regulation Zone areas and in the Coastal Zone Management Plan and making specific recommendations from Coastal Regulation Zone point of view; inquire into cases of alleged violation of the provisions of the said Act or the rules or any other law; review cases involving violations of the provisions of the Act; file complaints, under Section 19 of the Act, in cases of non-compliance of the directions, and also take action.
The Authority has to identify ecologically sensitive areas in the Coastal Regulation Zone and formulate area-specific management plans for such identified areas as well as co-ordinate implementation of conservation projects or projects related to upliftment of coastal population, identify coastal areas highly vulnerable to erosion or degradation, make management plans for such areas, identify economically important stretches in the Coastal Regulation Zone and prepare integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans and ensure compliance of all conditions laid down in the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan of Goa and the notification, 2011.
It has to prepare and submit Coastal Regulation Zone maps of the coastal areas in the State, direct concerned planning authorities, field agencies and Collectors to ensure the compliance of provisions of the notification and take suitable action in case of violations or non-compliance.
