MARGAO: Before beginning the dredging of Baina Creek, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has been directed by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA to carry out a detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA) first.
WRD has been further directed by GCZMA to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from all the residents living alongside the creek, before it proceeds with the construction of retaining walls along the creek’s bank.
Earlier, the GCZMA had received a proposal from the Executive Engineer of WRD Working Division II-Minor Irrigation, Aquem, requesting authorisation to dredge Baina Creek and build a retaining wall along the bank.
Here, WRD has suggested dredging to a depth of 3.5 metres. Dredging is suggested so that canoe operators can freely enter and exit Baina Creek. Canoes movement is currently hindered by the shallow water depth. It is anticipated that dredging will uniformly raise the water’s depth to 3.5 metres.
After inspecting the proposed area, the GCZMA concluded that it is located in CRZ II. As a result, the Authority gave WRD instructions to conduct a thorough EIA study at the earliest.
“Impact on hydrodynamics and geomorphology of the channel and adjoining areas due to changed hydrodynamics and possible impact on the adjacent coast/bank, impact on sediment movement characteristics, erosion, accretion phenomenon, impact on aquatic and marine biota, etc should be estimated prior to dredging,” GCZMA stated.
Additionally, it has asked WRD to reduce the dredging volume, wherein the dredging depth should be reevaluated by limiting the actual minimum required.
WRD has also been instructed by the authority to take the appropriate precautions to prevent pollution of the air, water, and noise. GCZMA emphasized the importance of identifying a proper site for dumping the dredged sand.
In light of this, GCZMA has requested that the WRD give project specifics to the authority in a presentation with a warning not to ignore these instructions.
