NEW DELHI: Stating that the government is aware of the fishermen’s issues, Union Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said fishermen in Goa need not worry about their traditional houses in CRZ areas.
Javadekar said the existing law will be amended to accommodate traditional structures. “The government has begun the process for total revision of CRZ notification 2011. In this context the Shailesh Nayak committee report has also been received,” Javadekar told reporters during a media workshop in Delhi.
He said the government has begun the process of changes in the notification. “Government is working towards making marine ecology self sustainable and we consider fishermen as part of the marine ecology and hence they need not worry about their homes,” he said.
Javadekar said the government is also preparing guidelines for implementing the Nayak commission report on the issue.
Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has received 478 complaints related to Goa for the period April 1, 2012 to July 15, 2014, pertaining to alleged violations of CRZ notification 2011.
Traditional fisherfolk residing within 500 metres of the high tide line are facing a threat to their dwellings by way of this notification and have received repeated notices from mamlatdars, deputy collectors, village panchayats, GCZMA and the courts.
Under provisions of the new CRZ notification 2011 – Clause 6 (d) – dwelling units constructed by traditional inhabitants post-1991 and not having approval from authorities can be considered for regularisation, provided these stretches are not used for commercial activity or are sold or leased out to non-traditional local community.
