The mystery of the Lost Island of Santo Estevam, Courtesy CZMP

It was surprising to know that the beautiful island of Santo Estevam with rich biodiversity, and an approximate resident population of around 5000, with an area of 8.2 sq km with coordinates measuring 15 31′ 48.2″ N, 73 56′ 28″ E was neglected by the CZMP.

The entire village was not displayed and marked on the map. How can this island, which contributes towards economic growth through foreign exchange to the entire State can be sidelined in such a manner? National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai was given a tender to draft this plan, and it was their duty to follow the prescribed guidelines. Another shocking revelation is National Institute of Oceanography, Goa was in the committee that prepared the guidelines to draft the CZMP in 2015. As per the guidelines for drafting CZMP the essential details to be inducted in developing the plan are: 

1. The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) should be based on Survey of India (SoI) and Open Series Map (OSM). 

2. The high tide line, low tide line and CRZ have to be categorised.

3. Coastal land use and infrastructure have to be taken through satellite or aerially.

4. Administrative boundaries have to be set.

5. Cadastral information to be acquired.

6. Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA), Geomorphologically Important Zones, Archeologically Important and Heritage Sites, and Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCA) captured through satellite or aerially.

7. Hazard Line

When the cartography was developed there was a blatant non-inclusiveness of the stake holders. There is an existing cadastral plan which was not consulted. There are important historical monuments of archeological importance such as the St Francis Xavier’s Fort at the highest point of the village and hillock is an important source of water recharge for the island, and over 10 ancient Sluice Gates (manos) and the Embankments (bunds) which are a heritage of this village and cannot be neglected. I am sure that none of the above were utilised to develop the CZMP.

If guidelines were thoroughly followed it should have been prepared as a draft and then taken to the concerned stakeholders for suggestions or rectification and then the final plan should have been notified. Here it is obvious that the exchequers money was wasted for a half hearted approach in developing the CZMP. The drafting of the CZMP for St Estevam requires a lot of rethinking and a nodal committee should be set up with the following representations; knowledgeable and learned Gaunkars, elders, panchayat members, the bund committee members, indigenous traders, academicians, environmentalists and government representatives who are sensitive to the cultural and social fabric of Goa. Hope the government revisits its CZMP with due diligence and solves the mystery of the missing Island of Santo Estevam.