That the Mandovi is the most impacted saline ecosystem of Goa has been echoed in various conferences time and again. Since the last 60 years, the banks have been ruthlessly concretised, activities are commercialised and water quality, in particular, is highly degraded. With built-up banks, the Mandovi is gradually transforming into a sewage canal. Panjim riverside tops it all.
The once iconic river navigation terminal of the Portuguese regime, adjacent to the mermaid garden, was demolished for road widening in 2002; extension of the tourism jetty below the Mandovi bridge, and expansion of the ports department jetty (old steamer docks) have progressively invaded the riverine domain; a bar and restaurant is operating on the river bank (ferry point) since decades; offices / terminals of casino operators have proliferated; a sea wall built by a starred resort at Miramar is decades old; the unwarranted so-called river-side promenade at Campal is lying in shambles; similar restaurants and jetties along Reis Magos-Betim-Malim bank have added to the ecological distress. Now, construction of a new port terminal complex is underway at the captain of ports jetty, in place of the old steamer terminal shed. Feeling deterred, residents have expressed apprehensions about the impacts of yet another riverside edifice. Although the intents of these concerned citizens cannot be doubted, the story behind this structure merits a discussion.
As a member of GCZMA, this author was deputed for a site inspection of the port terminal / office complex on 01 April 2015.The inspection report presented in GCZMA meeting 117 had clearly stated: the proposed plot is along the HTL of River Mandovi; the applicant is the Captain of Ports (CoP); there exists an old CoP building located on one side of the plot; the CoP intends constructing a terminal building / office complex in place of the old steamer jetty shed; some columns will be placed within the river; the building is about 70 m long and parallel to the existing jetty / river bank; the building will be built within the existing jetty complex. The report further insisted that: “the CoP may decide if an EIA is needed; the CoP, for the sake of river Mandovi, may let the public know whether the multiple jetties have influenced riverine ecology, bank morphology, physiography and bathymetry. These topics were discussed in detail at the GCZMA meeting. This author also invoked the heritage aspect, as this part of Panjim is a protected zone. It was decided to direct the CoP to seek comments from the heritage committee regarding restrictions, if any. Accordingly, the GCZMA decided to defer the case for decision. The inspection report is found in minutes of GCZMA meeting 117, dated 01 July 2015, p. 3-4; 11 members were present.
The CoP terminal proposal was again placed in the GCZMA meeting 118, dated 06 July 2015; 11 members had attended. Since this strip is dotted by ancient buildings, the heritage aspect was discussed. The CoP was expected to seek comments from the Heritage Committee to ascertain building restrictions / regulations in a heritage zone. No such report was presented. The GCZMA decided to approve the said proposal subject to the condition that the CoP has to comply with the restrictions / regulations imposed by the Heritage Committee which may be applicable to the said project, and NOC to that effect to be obtained in case the same falls under the heritage area. To our knowledge, the Heritage Committee was never consulted; as such, the heritage aspect remains unresolved till today (see minutes of GCZMA meeting 118, p. 2-3).
CRZ 2011 was conceived to conserve and protect coastal stretches, its unique environment and its marine area and to promote development through sustainable manner based on scientific principles. The notification is subdivided into prohibited, permissible and regulated activities. Under section 3, prohibited activities within CRZ, the following are declared as prohibited: (i) Setting up of new industries and expansion of existing industries, except (a) those directly related to waterfront or directly needing foreshore facilities;“foreshore facilities” means those activities that require waterfront for their operations such as ports and harbours, jetties, quays; (iv) land reclamation, or disturbing the natural course of seawater,except those:(a) required for setting up, construction or modernisation or expansion of foreshore facilities like ports, harbours, jetties, wharves, quays, ….(b) measures for control of erosion, based on scientific Environmental Impact Assessment studies; (c) maintenance or clearing of waterways, channels and ports, based on EIA studies. Under section 4, regulation of permissible activities in CRZ area include: (f) construction and operation for ports and harbours, jetties, wharves, quays. In addition, areas or structures of archaeological importance and heritage sites are designated as CRZ I; activities detrimental to the ancient structures are not permitted.
As explained above, both GCZMA meetings 117 and 118 were attended by 11 members: 7 government officers and 4 expert members. Stimulating discussions on the likely impacts did take place. But the port terminal proposal was nevertheless approved by 10 members who did not have any doubts, against 1 expert member (this author) who expressed reservations, pending EIA and related studies. Thus, the proposal got cleared.
CRZ law permits foreshore facilities, but does not have provisions for port offices on stilts, restaurants, toilets, discharge of untreated effluents along river banks. Personally, this author does not favor this port terminal / office in its present form; relevant impact studies have been circumvented; heritage value of the area is evaded. Unfortunately, although best possible scientific interpretations are offered, scientists are not decision makers; opinions of researchers are rarely considered. Resolutions are taken by a kind of officers / politicians who often do not bother about the implications of human actions on ambientecology. Hence the precarious suboxic state that the Mandovi water body is found in.
(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former Scientist, NIO, Goa)
