Panaji
The cry against the draft CRZ notification grew louder with voices of opposition pouring out on the Miramar beach, which became the focal point of the agitation on Friday.
Around 200 people assembled on the beach to lend muscle to the ‘Goans Against CRZ’ protest against the State government’s nod to the notification, which has been put forth by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF).
The protest saw a number of green and political activists make speeches on the adverse effects of the 2018 draft CRZ notification would have on Goa, Goans and fishermen, if implemented.
Speakers alleged a capitalist agenda behind the notification and termed it the “beginning of the end” for Goa. They also highlighted the need for Opposition leaders to bring up this issue in the deliberations during the upcoming Assembly session.
The protesters also symbolically planted a coconut sapling in the current ‘no development zone’ at
Miramar beach.
Menino D’Souza, a fisherman, expressing his anger said, “After exploiting resources on the land, it is now the turn of the sea. We don’t want the CRZ to be changed to 50 meters.”
Sudeep Dalvi from ‘Musical Warriors’ directly addressed the Chief Minister and Prime Minister, reminding them that Goan fishermen knew exactly what was happening. “Parrikar and Modi you are not more intelligent than the fishermen of Goa who know what’s going to happen once the
notification comes into force,” he said.
Kennedy Afonso, alleged that the government ignored a 36-page document of objections pertaining to the draft notification sent by the Goencho Ramponnkarancho Ekvott (GRE). “They are not a government for the people. If they were, then the draft notification would be rejected” he said.
“This is our last battle, as the government has already given its approval. We urge all Goans to come out and fight,” Afonso said, adding that for it to succeed, it has to be a three-way fight: on the ground, in the Assembly, and if these didn’t work, through the judiciary.
Sanjay Pereira, a fisherman said that with all the formalin talk that was doing the rounds, Goan fish has to be protected. “But for that, we need to protect Goan fishermen first,” he said.
Olencio Simoes, president of GRE explained that the Sagarmala project which requires the riverfront and seafront for cargo transportation was the hidden agenda behind the Centre’s draconian draft.
“Government wants to dilute CRZ. This CRZ 2018 violates the fundamentals of the previous CRZ 1991,” he said.”Instead of making CRZ rules stronger to protect the coast and the environment, you are diluting them,” he told the government.
Amarnath Panjikar from the Congress too said that the government needed to show the connection between the Sagarmala project and CRZ 2018, while Pradeep Padgaonkar from the Aam Aadmi Party asked if laws were being made only for the capitalists.
Francisco Vaz pointed out that the government was promising jobs for Goans while at the same time stamping on the livelihood of around 20,000 members of fishing community.
Rui da Gama from Asha Human Rights said that nature was the true temple of God. “Instead of going to worship inside a structure made of stones, Goans coming out on the beach to protest against the destruction of Goa was true worship,” he said.
Walter Lobo said all the MLAs from the Opposition party should come and speak their minds.
