the goan I network
VASCO
Coming out strongly against the Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) notification 2018 approved by the central government, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Saturday said the approved CRZ notification was not feasible for the tiny state of Goa.
“As per the approved CRZ Notification 2018, the No Development Zone (NDZ) in CRZ III has been reduced from 200 metres to 50 metres based on population density. This notification, if applied to Goa, will definitely be suicidal for this tiny state as the entire coastline, which is a stretch of 105 km, will be affected,” said Saldanha, while speaking to reporters at her office.
“It appears we do not learn from the lessons that nature teaches us with regards to what happened in Kerala. The repercussions of which are still visible in the state and people are suffering. Human power cannot control the fury of gushing waters.”
The MLA recalled that the CRZ notification 1991, after much persuasion, had allowed regularisation of traditional fishermen’s dwellings based on the existing plinth only.
“Till date, most of the coastal dwellers are struggling to regularise their houses that existed well before 1991. With CRZ notification 2018, we are literally sending people further into the sea without a thought to the fact that rise in sea water levels is being observed and experienced time and again within the state.”
“Last monsoon itself, fishermen experienced rise in water level at Velsao, leading to sand erosion that almost touched their dwellings and tilted their boats,” said Saldanha.
“I had conducted the site inspection along with WRD officials and a report has been sent to Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, for necessary precautionary measures.”
“Whatever the rest of the country may do, this approved CRZ notification 2018 is not feasible for tiny Goa, unless we knowingly want to court disaster in the near future,” added Saldanha.
