VASCO: The villagers of Cansaulim Arossim and Cuelim on Thursday confronted the panchayat secretary for failing to complete the coastal zone management plan (CZMP) till date.
The villagers demanded to know why the secretary’s draft CZMP was not yet displayed in the panchayat for public scrutiny.
A villager alleged that the sarpanch had deliberately hid the CZMP and did not take suggestions of all stakeholders — fishing community, toddy tappers, farmers and others who fall within the ambit of the CRZ notification.
Olencio Simoes, another villager, stated that the entire Arossim to Cansaulim stretch is ecologically fragile as this area consists of more than 50 water bodies.
“The entire stretch from Arossim to Cansaulim consisting of sand dunes, canoe landing area, marine eco-sensitive areas, fishing village were missing in the draft CZMP plan. Therefore, I along with few other villagers questioned the Sarpanch Martha Saldanha and asked her to call for a special meeting by inviting all affected stakeholders and submit the revised draft plan to the Government at the earliest,” Simoes said.
When contacted, Marta Saldhana said, “As soon as the CZMP came to the panchayat, we sent for an announcement through the church and the chapel and asked the local people to go through the plan and give their suggestions and objections.”
She said that till date only one person approached and gave his suggestion on CZMP. “The CZMP reached the panchayat on October 4, and we have announced through church and the chapel that the plan has come to the panchayat. Even last Sunday, church also requested people to go to panchayat and give their suggestions and objections if they have any,” she added.
