It is here that the opponents to the project will have the opportunity to list their objections, have them noted, and should they fail to make a case, then seeking to later get the project rescinded will lead to a long and protracted battle. There has, however, already been a demand by the traditional fishing community that the public hearing be cancelled as the draft Environmental Impact Assessment has been prepared without the notified Goa Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) being in place and is in violation of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification of 2006. Given that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has stopped any permissions to projects until the CZMP is prepared, does place a query on this hearing. Can it go ahead before the CZMP is finalised by the government?
Aside from that, the case of the opponents of the marina is mainly environmental in nature, with the possibility of disruption of traditional activities. This is what the opponents of the project have to say: Nauxim Bay is an ecologically sensitive area (ESA). Reports by National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have stated that the Zuari estuary, in which Nauxim Bay is situated, is rich in marine biodiversity, home to over 186 aquatic species. Sancoale and Chicalim area, on the southern bank of the River Zuari is a biodiversity heritage site as it is a hotspot and breeding ground of the windowpane oysters, that have been declared endangered and designated as scheduled species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The Curca-Bambolim-Talaulim panchayat, under which Nauxim falls, is not in favour of the project. The panchayat, as pointed out by a panch, has voiced out against it in 2010, 2015 and now in 2019. Chief Ministers have come and gone, since the project was first mooted, but it has not yet been disbanded. There is a sizeable population of this coastal area on either side of Nauxim that is not in favour of the marina. Most of them earn their livelihood through traditional fishing methods, are quite content with what they earn from this, and which they fear would be affected by the marina that would lead to pollution – especially leakage of oil – from the boats that would sail into the bay to dock at the marina.
The company on the other hand, explaining the project said that the marina will be a berthing/parking facility for yachts, sail boats that will provide repair services, maintenance and ensure the safety of boats docked. Interestingly, they say it will be a green project that is completely pollution free and bring in revenue to the State, and increase the employment opportunities. But, in the event that this project goes through, what is the nature of the jobs that this marina would provide to Goans? This proposal had been made almost a decade ago, since then have any of the successive government ensured that Goans would be trained for the kind of jobs that a marina would offer? Given that it involves repairs, there would be some sort of specialisation. Who will get the jobs?
The marina project has to be evaluated in all respects before the final go ahead can be given to it. The hearing therefore turns very important in the current circumstances. A lot will depend on the opponents. Can they provide those genuine flaws and concerns that will make the proponents re-think?
