PANJIM: Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) will conduct a fresh study on benthic diversity, beach erosion and submarine morphology to ascertain the impact to the shoreline due to capital dredging activities carried out by Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
The decision came after the authority studied the two reports of the National Institute of Oceanography, both commissioned by MPT, wherein the data was irrelevant as far as impact of the dredging in the harbour was concerned.
During the inspection undertaken by expert members, MPT presented two NIO reports. The first report pertains to some beach profile measured on beaches located some 25 kms away from MPT harbour that appears to be irrelevant as far as impact of the project is concerned.
The second interim report deals with the biological aspects of the sediments of the Zuari estuary, however, it has been noted that the sampling is scattered and is not done along the axis of the channel which is more than 10 kilometres long and the same would be required to be reviewed.
As such, the expert members proposed that a detailed follow up study would be required to ascertain the benthic diversity, beach erosion and submarine morphology.
The authority, during its recent meeting, also decided to constitute a sub-committee comprising Dr Antonio Mascarenhas, Dr PV Shirodkar, Suhas Godse and Dr Nandkumar Sawant, to discuss the two reports with NIO scientists who had carried out the studies.
As reported earlier, the authority has decided to rope in Central Water And Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune and Chennai-based National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) to study the impact of capital dredging.
The Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Co-op Society Ltd and Baina Ramponkar and Fishing Canoe Owners Society had challenged the environmental clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change to MPT to deepen the approach channel for capsize vessels at MPT. The National Green Tribunal had quashed and set aside the EC.
