Close on the heals of the three controversial projects we have a plan that has raised the hackles of civil society. The Coastal Zone Management Plan, something that is very much needed is creating confusion, especially the coastal areas. The objective of the CZMP is safeguard the livelihood, security of the fishing community, conserve, promote and sustainably develop water bodies etc.
The Government makes the law/rules, they are expected to follow the rules in force to the letter. It is not left to anyone in Government, to ignore them because they feel that the rules are no good and society will be better off without them. When the rules specify a notice period, i.e 60 days, it must be followed in letter and more importantly, spirit. The time is given considering the fact that people need to study, understand and give valuable feedback. There can be no valid reason for expediting the public hearing, when the plan was delayed for years by the authorities.
Considering, COVID SOP’s and the Government wish to limit interactions, the safest thing to do would be to take the public hearings to the villagers and municipalities and not bring all the people to just two places. This would have shown a fair intent, more people could have participated and there would be more time than just the arbitrary 5 minutes per person, which does not have the authority of law.
In this day and age, an email for receiving suggestions rather than a helpdesk (on the third floor) where one physically submits makes a lot more sense. They only asked everyone to register on email if one wished to speak, out of a population of 15 lakhs, only 156 registered and only 95 managed to make it through the police cordon to the venue. The Government was going to allow only 150 speakers which is, definitely a poor sample size for a public hearing of this importance and magnitude.
The plan appears to be prepared hurriedly to meet a deadline set by the National Green Tribunal after forgetting about it for the last five years. This plan is needed and needed yesterday. So, it is a welcome step that the Government is trying to ensure a plan is made, better late than never. In their hurry to avoid missing the bus, they boarded the wrong bus. There are many shortcomings, which a proper public hearing would help in getting them corrected.
Many complained that the maps were not complete and that the local bodies had received the maps as late as end Feb 21. So how could they study the plans and give feedback at the public hearing? Rather, given the glaring lacunae in the execution of the public hearing, the listed speakers also refused to speak.
The haste in which the authorities planned the hearing can be gauged by the last minute change on venue in Tiswadi. The advertisement went for printing without anyone bothering to check if the stated venue was available. The agency tasked with making this plan is Chennai-based and it seems unlikely that they met the key stakeholders, i.e the fishermen and surely holding the public hearing in the hinterland means it is not convenient for them to attend.
The unnecessary haste, the reluctance to follow the due process established will surely result in a legal challenge and this will delay this important and very important plan.
The cog in the wheel appears to be “PORT LIMITS”. By design or by chance MPT has once again figured as the agency that will execute the central plans here in Goa bypassing local self governing bodies. MPT cannot take care of what it has, they have leased out areas under their control to third parties to run, how can they be expected to take care of the entire Port Limits, what capacity or expertise do they have other than subleasing out the land?
The question that no one has bothered to respond to is, if MPT is made the owner, then as any land owner does, will MPT not fence of the land? Two, does it mean that for any activity a person undertakes on land within the PORT LIMIT, will one have to go to MPT for permission? Whose permission is supreme, will it be MPT or say TCP/Panchayat? Who will make the rules, assembly or MPT? Will Goans have another window to get their files processed? Will the river banks be leased out by MPT to all and sundry? How did PORT LIMITS creep in? In other States does the local port authority have similar jurisdiction, Mumbai Port Trust for example?
The Collectors who conducted the “ill planned and ill timed” public hearing kept saying that they were there to hear each and every objection to the plan. They did not add that they going to listen to you for 5 minutes and only 150 people at the most. Was it there call to decide the key issues, the CRZ notification lay down rules for preparing the CZMP. Why was it bypassed.
The Government will need to review their decisions and understand that people are worried about how this new plan will pan out as there are so many unknowns and surprises. They will seriously have to work hard to bridge the trust deficit with the population and deliver a good Coastal Zone Management Plan for Goa, one that our children will thank us for.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao.)
