Team Herald
MAPUSA: The Moira panchayat on Tuesday submitted its draft report of Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) to Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral.
The plan was prepared by the villagers and approved at the extra ordinary gram sabha on October 2.
The extra ordinary gram sabha also resolved to request the authorities that the final draft CZMP map for the village be sent back to the panchayat for scrutiny, study, correction and additional recommendation if any and approval by the gram sabha.
The plan should be sent back after superimposing the draft plan on 1:25,000 scale prepared by MOEF&CC after marking the HTL, LTL, Hazard Line and all the missing survey numbers.
It may be recalled that on Monday, a copy was submitted to the Director of Environment and GCZMA Member Secretary.
The extra ordinary gram sabha also unanimously decided on the several resolutions such as all Eco Sensitive Zones should be mapped/marked and kept out of bound for any commercial exploitation by industries or private business houses or ventures. Mangroves, khazans, sluice gates, bunds, mud flats should be classified as CRZ I. All water bodies, whether private or public owned, be declared as CRZ and for personal or public use only and not for commercial use. Fish breeding sites, especially along the mangroves and also areas in and along the river harbouring clams, crabs, shrimps and other endangered species should be marked as No Development Zone.
Acting sarpanch Oswald Cordeiro informed Herald that the coast along the entire village and adjoining villages along the river is of primary importance for sustaining the livelihood of the fishing community, famers and traditional communities living along the coast and the same should be marked as CRZ I.
“In the draft we have mentioned that bio-sensitive areas with identification of rare and exotic plants and trees should be marked or mapped. Heritage structures, heritage sites, eco-sensitive areas or structures of archaeological importance including those that are being recommended for mapping by the Biodiversity Management Committee be protected and promoted for ecotourism. At the same time areas of scenic beauty should be preserved and protected. Ecotourism should be promoted and encouraged,” he said.
The draft plan emphasised on the need for restoring mangroves wherever the same have been destroyed by nature or cut illegally by private parties at the cost of the village safety against natural disasters. The erroneous HTL, LTL and Buffer zone be rechecked and marked correctly all along the village coast. It was mentioned that necessary measures be taken to preserve, protect and promote the development of natural defenses against floods, storm surges, cyclones and avoid the construction of sea walls and tetrapods.
At the same time the plan spoke of the requirement to identify and set up a shelter for housing villagers/evacuees in case of any eventuality. St Xavier’s High School, Government Primary Schools at Calizor and Bambordem, Church or Temple in Moira can be earmarked for the same, pending setting up of a permanent shelter station.
