Team Herald
PANJIM: The draft coastal development rules might have brought cheer to beach shack operators, but apprehensions are being raised concerning the protection of the State’s already fragile beaches.
Environmentalist and former National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) scientist Antonio Mascarenhas slammed the draft rules terming it a document without scientific validity.
“The draft gives blanket permission to the shacks to come closer to the sea. The beaches have anyway got a commercial pinch and the presence of temporary structures has largely affected the frontal dunes. It could prove detrimental to the ecology,” he said speaking to Herald.
Claiming that draft rules, if implemented, will have immense implication for the coastal states like Goa, he demanded that the government rethink and re-work the draft to ensure that ecology is not neglected. “The draft has no scientific validity,” Mascarenhas said.
The scientist also questioned why the chapter on sand dunes has been given least priority while conservation and restoration of the beaches are also not given much importance. “Special emphasis should be laid on the ecological and geological role, as well as functions of the coastal ecosystem, particularly beach dunes. These are more sensitive and more prone to human action,” he said, citing the incident of the grounding of the River Princess that caused immense damage to the Candolim-Sinquerim coastline.
He also pointed out to several contradictions in the notification fearing the notification could lead to confusion, complaints and possibly court cases.
But, other stakeholders have welcomed it, and that includes some shack operators who have expressed relief over the rules. “It is good for tourism,” said Inacio, a shack operator form Bogmalo.
Asked whether the draft would affect environment, another shack owner, Venancio Dias said, “We understand it could impact the environment but it is government’s look out. We will go by what the notification is, and the present ones come as a major relief to us.”
All Goa Shack Owners Association president Cruz Cardozo, when contacted by Herald, said he would comment only after examining the notification.
Herald tried contacting tourism officials but none were available for comments.
The Union Ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF), in its draft coastal development rules, released on Thursday, permitted temporary tourism activities like shacks in the no-development zone (NDZ). The notification classified the areas with population density of more than 2161 per sq km as per 2011 census base, as CRZ-III areas, wherein the No Development Buffer zone measured from the high tide line on the landward side is reduced to 50 meters from the existing 200 from the high tide line (HTL). Whereas for the areas with population density of less than 2161 per sq kms, designated as CRZ-III B, the NDZ continue to be 200 mtrs from the HTL. However, the NDZ shall not be applicable in such areas falling within notified port limits.
