PANJIM: The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) has directed the Goa government to complete the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) based on the 2019 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification by December, this year. Pending the finalization of CZMP 2019, the provisions of CRZ 2019 will not be applicable to the coastal State.
During NCZMA’s 45th meeting held on September 1, Goa was among the only coastal State which has not even finalized the Central government-approved agency for preparing the plan.
“Until and unless the CZMP is so revised or updated, provisions of this notification (CRZ 2019) shall not apply and the CZMP as per provisions of CRZ Notification 2011 shall continue to be followed for appraisal and CRZ clearance to such projects,” the NCZMA said during the meeting, as per the minutes.
The State Environment Department had in June shortlisted the Kerala-based National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) to give a presentation for the preparation of CZMP 2019.
However, the date for presentation could not be finalised in view of the two-week long Monsoon session of the State Legislative Assembly held from July 11, followed by the code of conduct that came into force on July 16, in view of Panchayat polls.
“We will require at least one year for completing the process and getting the plan approved and notified,” Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said.
In an order passed on April 11, NGT had granted two months’ time to finalize CZMP 2019 to all the coastal States. The green bench had noted that in spite of the CRZ Notification being issued in January 2019, the CZMP 2019 have not been finalised and approved for 11 States, including Goa.
The CRZ Notification, 2019 regulates foreshore developmental activities, and ports and harbours are prohibited in high erosion stretches.