Team Herald
PERNEM: The draft Coastal Zone Management Plan prepared by the Morjim panchayat was discussed at a special gram sabha.
Sarpanch Vaishali Shetgaonkar welcomed the villagers and explained to them the agenda of the meeting.
Goencho Avaaz representative Pravinsingh Shetgaonkar explained to the villagers why the government has come up with the CZMP and further informed them that the Morjim panchayat has prepared the draft plan after taking them into consideration. The same would be forwarded to Government as the previous draft prepared by the State has been scrapped.
Stating that this plan is to protect the communities living in coastal belt, Shetgaonkar said, “People involved in traditional activities such as the fishing community and their livelihood will be protected”.
As per guidelines, this plan has a mention of the taluka boundaries, fish landing centers activities of fishing community, fish breeding sites, khazan land, fishing village, sluice gate, mangroves, boat parking, sand dunes, fishing community hall, crematoriums, turtle nesting sites, net binding areas etc, Shetgaonkar informed.
Shetgaonkar said the plan would be forwarded to government and another topographical plan would be sent back which will have the hills, mountains, forests etc. A land use plan will be prepared which will have all the structures marked on it. These plans are prepared separately to avoid confusion.
The entire village has been declared as fishing village. The locals need not have to worry about their activities since fishermen have right to carry them within 100 to 200 metres.
Panch Pavan Morje informed the villagers that the panchayat has prepared the map based on Google which is not the final one. This map will be made available for villagers in the next two days and suggestions from the locals are welcome. A suggestion book has been made available in the panchayat office to note down people’s suggestions.
