CANACONA: At the special gram sabha held on Monday, the villagers and elected representatives of Poinguinim panchayat deliberated on the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) prepared by the locals with the help of NGO Goencho Avaaz.
Considering the November 15 deadline given by National Green Tribunal (NGT) with regards to the importance of the CZMP to the coastal fishing community and other traditional dwellers, the Poinguinim locals did the ground mapping and presented it before the panchayat in record time.
Pradeep Mokhardkar, a resident had submitted a resolution, which was later accepted by the gram Sabha on November 10 to authorise the locals to carry out the draft CZMP.
Accordingly, at the same gram sabha, it was resolved that the locals would prepare the draft CZMP and submit it on Monday at the special gram sabha.
The sabha was informed that Poinguinkarancho Ekvot, a local NGO with active participation of Judas Barreto, Pedro Barreto, Pradeep Mokhardkar, Ramdas Pagi, Caetano Barreto and others worked together in preparing a village-oriented draft plan.
It may be recalled that Poinguinim panchayat had rejected the CZMP prepared by NCSCM citing irregularities, flaws and deficiencies in the plan.
As such, the locals with assistance from ‘Goencho Avaaz’, senior citizens, traditional communities and fishermen from the village were consulted and a comprehensive plan was prepared and presented to the panchayat, said Pradeep Mokhardakar.
Judas Barreto briefed on the importance of having the right plan in accordance with CRZ notification 2011. He then explained the flaws in the plan prepared by NCSCM and then the draft plan prepared by locals in association with the NGO Goencho Avaaz was presented in detail before the members.
Pedro Barreto said the gram sabha members, sarpanch, panch members affected by CRZ and elders appreciated the efforts of the members of Poinguinkarancho Ekvott, the locals and elders. Atlee Barretto, a budding young engineer , said the plan has been given final touches by incorporating the suggestions by the gram sabha members and the same would be sent to the panchayat for submission to the government.
