Team Herald
MARGAO: Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott, the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) along with various other traditional fishing organisations, tourism stakeholders and citizen groups like Goencho Ekvott submitted a memorandum to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and Chief Secretary with their objections to the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), on Friday.
“Goa has the smallest coast line of 105-km and a land mass of 3,704 sq km. with many intervening tidal rivers and therefore has more than 40 estuarine, eight marine and about 90 riverine islands. It is an ecologically sensitive area and needs to be protected by controlling and guarding against unscrupulous exploitation, for the long term benefits of human beings. This must be done by protecting and maintaining the ecological balance of the area,” Olencio Simoes, GRE General Secretary said.
“The omission of 46.06 lakh sq.mts of sand dunes in the CZMP will have cascading effect on the beaches of Goa especially when 25 per cent of coastline is eroded as sand dunes provide natural coastal protection against storm surge and high waves, preventing or reducing coastal flooding and structural damage, as well as providing important ecological habitat. They also act as sand storage areas, supplying sand to eroded beaches. Preserving or enhancing dune systems can help protect coastal property, especially in areas with low or moderate erosion,” Simoes added further.
They further referred to the two public hearings held by the GCZMA in which the GCZMA had specifically advertised and stated that the Port Limits have been withdrawn as per a prior resolution passed by the Authority itself.
They also conveyed their concerns to the level of autonomy given to the Mormugao Ports Authority (MPA) that had replaced the erstwhile Mormugao Port Trust wherein the State, Panchayat and Municipalities will have no authority to intervene in the port areas.
The coastal community also said they have felt betrayed and are in great anxiety as they fear that their houses will be denied from regularisation and will be ordered for demolition as the MPA will later claim land rights.
They gave the example of how MPT had filed cases for demolition of traditional houses claiming that they are the owners of the land in areas of Khariwado and Vasco.
