Margao: While coastal villages in Goa are awaiting the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan to be released for suggestions and objections, Chief Minister along with National Center for Sustainable Coastal Management have scheduled a “ground truthing” of CZMP of Goa.
Two scientists of NSCSM Dr Badarees K O and Dr Manik Mahapatra will be arriving in Goa on 19th November and conduct the “ground truthing” from 20th to 24thNovember. The NCSCM requested that the officials of GCZMA, DSLR and NIO be deputed along with their scientists for ground truthing and the details of the proposed location be given in advance.
The NCSCM stated in the letter that they have received one unsigned application, along with maps and documents of approval issued by various departments of Government of Goa, based on the No Development Zone map prepared by Survey Department. The application had requested that NCSCM should correct the No Development Zone demarcated in the CZMP, based on the approvals.
They further requested that all objections raised by the public during the public hearings may be compiled taluka-wise and forwarded to them with the comments of GCZMA
The letter has not gone well with environmental activists and coastal stakeholders. “There is no word called truthing in the dictionary. Ground Truthing is just a fancy name they have come up with to say they going to check the ground realities. The secrecy of the letter itself raises suspicion. They might come to Goa just to show the Court that they did an inspection.”, said Kashinath Shetye, an environmental activist from Ribandar.
“It is very clear that the government is trying to modify the plan without the people knowing. Why else would they send an unsigned application letter with all the suggestions from various departments to change the No Development Zone line? ”, he questioned.
Judith Almeida, an environmental activist from Colva, said that NCSCM has requested all objections raised in the public hearing. “When was the public hearing conducted? There was no public hearing. They haven’t even released the Draft Coastal Zone Management Plan. This is all a sham”, said Judith.
