Margao: GAKUVED an organization representing the tribal people of Goa has strongly objected to the CRZ amendment and supported the protest call given by National Fish workers Forum at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on February 23.
In a press release, General Secretary Rupesh Velip accused the government of trying to snatch from the tribal community its rights to use and maintain khazan lands and rivers of the country.
The tribal communities along the coastal belt depend on fishing for their livelihood and the amended CRZ would adversely affect them as it would change the beach scenario; further the amendment violates the Environment Protection Act.
Velipsaid the amendment has been brought only to promote the Sagarmala project that seeks to concretise the entire coastal belt of Goa.He pointed out that the government did not even implement CRZ2011.
The press release pointed out that in Goa, the coastal villages were not demarcated nor where the sand dunes, bays and beach area mapped as was mandated in CRZ 2011 notification.
Pointing out that the population density even in villages of Goa as per the 2011 census was 2161, GAKUVED said the clause of No Development Zone being 50 kms only for villages where the density is 2161 per sq mts was a mere eyewash as entire Goa has that population density and hence the amendment would be applicable for entire Goa.
