PANJIM: With hardly four months in hand, the Goa government has a challenging task ahead in completing the long-pending Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) by January 31, 2021 as the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) is still in the process of mapping the khazan lands. Also, the State has to go through a long process before the draft plan can be finalised. The plan is yet to be submitted by the Chennai-based agency.
On Monday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) granted Goa till January, 31, 2021 to complete the CZMP, as against Goa’s request for a deadline of March 10, 2021.
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It has also directed the MoEF&CC Secretary to intervene in the matter so as to find plausible means with NCSCM to expedite the process of completion of the plan.
However, the State government on September 4, sent all the khazan land data, collected from the District Administration, to NCSCM for mapping, since the shape files which were sent by the agency to the State earlier to conduct plotting and mapping did not contain the survey numbers.
“Hence, the State was unable to do the mapping of the khazan land. Accordingly, NCSCM was asked to undertake the same via a letter dated September 4,” sources said, adding that the ‘same is in process’.
“The draft plan will be submitted to the State after mapping of the khazan land,” sources added.
Further, the sources pointed out that this will be a tedious process, as per the law that has to be followed for finalisation of the plan. Sources said once the draft plan is ready, NCSCM will submit it to the State government for approval that will in turn be placed before the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for its nod and conduct of a public hearing.
“A 30 days advance notice for public hearing has to be issued. The CZMP maps will be provided to all concerned local bodies,” the official said, adding that the hearing will be conducted in virtual mode. “Government is also planning to give physical hearing to some,” sources said.
Following the public hearing, suggestions and objections of the people will be considered by GCZMA and the plan recommended to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) for approval.
“NCZMA will then review and recommend to the MoEF&CC that will approve and notify the plan for the State,” sources added.
