The Chicalim plan has now been kept open for further suggestions before it is presented to the government for incorporation in the State CZMP that will be presented to the Union Ministry of Enviroment and Forest (MoEF). While, Chicalim has shown that the people of a village can come together and plan for themselves without any acrimony, can other villages now emulate this panchayat and produce their own coastal zone management plans?
If the villages can do it, then it has to be done quickly as time is running out for the State that has until the end of this month to present its final plan to MoEF. Until the plan is presented and approved, all permissions for any activity in the coastal areas remain on hold. Goa is planning to seek more time to complete the process. Past experience in extending deadlines has cost the State dearly as it has been fined by the central authorities for the delays. Examples are of the National Games for which a fine of Rs 10 crore has been imposed on Goa and the delay in finalising the private forest report that will cost the government Rs 10 lakh a day from July 1 until it is presented.
The Chicalim experience is a victory for participatory planning and has to be emulated by other villages. Goa has seen a number of its plans derailed due to opposition and protests from the people. If the people can decide for themselves – and do so unanimously – this will reduce the opposition and activism in the State substantially. This is an example of positive planning that should serve as a benchmark for other villages for the present. It perhaps can be improved upon, but until such time that there is a better model of grassroots consultation, the Chicalim method can and should be emulated elsewhere.
A number of village panchayats have opposed the CZMP as was drafted for the State. A few more villages have now decided to make their own plans. The Chicalim plan was a possibility because the villagers did not depend entirely on the elected members of the panchayat body to make their plan. The villagers took the initiative and then the panchayat body invited persons who had knowledge of the subject to assist them in drafting the plan. What makes this plan interesting is that the villagers have decided to protect every water body within the jurisdiction of the village panchayat. This indicates that there are people who place the environment uppermost in planning and are not blinded by ‘development’ promises that may ravage the existing ecology.
It now depends on the part of the government to accept this village plan and incorporate it in the State plan. Should the government agree to include the plan it will show how serious it is about accepting the people’s views and on the principle of participatory planning. On the other hand, if the plan is rejected by the administration, it will discourage people from coming forward and involving themselves in planning. Planning at the village is the best option for Goa as it would involve the people who are the main stakeholders. The government has to give this opportunity to the people and gauge the results of this, whether it works or it doesn’t. Frankly, the government has no other option in the present case.
