Team Herald
VASCO: The Velsao gram sabha on Sunday adopted a resolution to appoint an expert to prepare new Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) of Velsao, in consultation to the villagers and stakeholders.
The gram sabha members cited numerous errors in the existing CZMP plan for Velsao. The errors include wrong demarcation of high tide line and omission of fishing areas, fishing villages and fish breeding zone.
The villagers said that existing authorised and unauthorised structures in village are not shown in the plan; eco-sensitive landmarks such as sand dunes, bird nesting sites, fresh water ponds etc are not show in the plan; and the structures shown on the plan are prior to 1971.
Another main issue discussed at the meeting was installation of a cellular tower in the village. There was mixed response and lengthy discussion over the pros and cons of the cellular tower. Some locals spoke in support of the cellular tower, while others opposed it.
Later it was decided to convene a special gram sabha to discuss and take a decision on whether to allow installation of cellular tower in the village or not.
When asked when the special gram sabha would be convened, Sarpanch Henrique D’Mello said that the date for convening a special gram sabha would be decided in the panchayat meeting.
