SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Emphasising on the importance of scrutinising the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) before it is approved, as then it will be too late to file any objections, two public consultation meetings were organised in the North and South Districts, by Goa Foundation (GF).
At the two meetings, held in Panjim and Benaulim on Thursday and Friday, respectively for the people of the coastal communities of both these districts, GF projected the CZMP maps on a screen to assist the public in understanding what the plan is.
More importantly, efforts were made to encourage the locals to analyse the maps of their respective areas themselves, so that they can bring forth any objections they may have, for the upcoming public hearings that have been scheduled on March 7, in both districts.
Pointing out that the last CZMP has been in operation without any changes for the last 24 years, GF Founder Claude Alvares explained to the audience how a lot will change once this plan is passed as there are many differences between the old plan and the present one.
For example, the ecologist questioned how the CRZ classification of beaches like Querim and Agonda were changed in the draft CZMP and the CZMP of 1996.
He also spoke about how the draft CZMP plans have a lot of unusual aspects like port limits or areas marked for net mending areas, which have a lot of discrepancies. He added that for areas under the Port limits, it should not be a case where No Development Zone norms are ignored and permissions from local authorities concerned such as the GCZMA are not taken.
Claude called the draft CZMP an obituary given that it lacks suggestions or steps to rehabilitate and restore coastal assets that are presently degraded.
Amongst a host of irregularities, Claude asked why the government appointed panel led by Dr Simon D’Souza on management of khazan lands, mangroves and fishing community in CRZ areas, were not properly incorporated in the draft CZMP.
