Team Herald
MAPUSA: The draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for Bastora was discussed during the extra ordinary gram sabha held in the village panchayat hall.
The other topic on the agenda was to prepare an action plan for conserving, harvesting, reusing and recycling water within the panchayat jurisdiction.
With regards to the preparation of the draft CZMP, it was noticed that the bat or rather bird nesting area was not shown and the members said that this should be incorporated in the map. The Tillari irrigation pipeline passing over the Bastora rivulet at two places was not shown in the map. Goencho Avaaz executive core member, Roshan Mathias provided vital inputs and external support to get the draft ready.
Bastora Village Development Committee convener and biodiversity member, Andrew D’Souza demanded that the suggestions of the comunidade be implemented.
“The suggestions of the comunidade will be important and should be implemented as most of the agricultural fields along the rivulet belong to them. On water conservation, we will adopt a few steps such as cleaning of all public wells and water harvesting will be mandatory for all new buildings. At the same time, fresh water ponds and springs in the village will be identified and restored,” he said. The Panchayat would seek technical help from an expert for preparing the final draft which would be submitted. Sarpanch, Savio Martins chaired the special gram sabha, which was attended by the comunidade committee, gaunkars, panchayat members and few villagers.
