MARGAO
Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz on Sunday informed that the gram sabha has demanded that the government should either adopt the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) approved by the local body or conduct a fresh survey to protect the interests of the local fishermen.
The gram sabha has resolved to appoint a legal advisor to lodge objections to the CZMP approved by the Ministry of Environment and Forests since the plan has not been prepared as per the coastal regulation zone notification 2011.
Fishermen and other stakeholders attended the gram sabha meeting, pointing out that Cavelossim is a fishing village with the families expanding over the years. The sarpanch informed that the panchayat is committed to protecting the interest of the villagers.
The sarpanch further informed that the panchayat has called for a meeting of the tourism stakeholders from the village ahead of the new tourism season.
He said tourism stakeholders, including the water sports operators, tourist taxi drivers and others, have been facing a host of issues, which will be deliberated at the meeting, adding that issues such as illegal hawking and beach parking will also be taken up.
The meeting witnessed an uproar over the question of tax collection from households having accommodation and the starred hotels. He said the panchayat will take a legal opinion on the issue and place the report at the next gram sabha.
