the goan I network
PANAJI
Coming down heavily on the Coastal Regulation Zone 2018 notification issued by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, the Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT) has denounced it as a “death knell for the coastal communities.”
The CRT -- which is affiliated to the Council for Social Justice and Peace (SCJP), a social wing of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman -- has emphatically rejected the CRZ notification 2018 and categorically demands that it be withdrawn.
In a strongly worded press statement, the CRT stated that the central government had deceived citizens of the country by merely executing a draft notification Coastal Regulation Zone 2018 in April, seeking comments and suggestions from the people.
“However, a detailed perusal of the recently issued notification is a verbatim reproduction of the draft notification, which is a clear indication that this Government does not want to listen to its people but follows orders received from elsewhere. This Notification 2018 is a perfect assault on environment and traditional livelihoods,” stated CRT Executive Secretary Fr Freddy Braganza.
Claiming that the CRZ notification of 2018 “is a planned
erosion of the CRZ Notification 2011,” the CRT added, “by reducing the CRZ area to a mere 50m from the hazard lines, it will create an environmental crisis and damage the fragile coastal ecology resulting in imminent floods.”
“This notification does not protect the ecology and livelihoods of the coastal inhabitants.”
The CRT stated that in the absence of the critical formulation of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), as per the CRZ Notification 2011, this notification is rudderless.
“This notification violates Art. 51A(g) of the Constitution of India which mandates the protection and improvement of the natural environment, including forest, lakes, rivers and wildlife and have compassion for living creatures.”
“It further violates Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 which requires the Central Government to protect and improve the quality of the environment and prevent, control and halt environmental degradation.”
The CRT said the notification permits activities like reclamation of land for commercial activities; interference with sand dunes and large scale recreation. “Drawing of ground water within the 200-500m from the HTL is permitted.
Activities that are detrimental to the coastal ecology and that will displace the local communities and affect the biodiversity are granted positive approval.”
“The wilful dilution and reduction in the protection given to the environment is categorically permitted. This notification regularizes violations to CRZ and opens the way to further destruction of our coastal ecology.”
The CRT also stated that the 2018 CRZ notification of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has completely disregarded the recommendations of the Shailesh Nayak Committee.
“As the Government has notified the same draft without an iota of change, it further affirms the intention of the Central Government to promote its flagship programme under the Sagar Mala project, where over 400 projects related to port modernisation, connectivity, enhancement, development and other port linked industries are envisaged from 2015 - 2035 at an estimated cost of Rs 8 trillion,” added the CRT.
PERFECT ASSAULT ON ENVIRONMENT: FR FREDDY
CRZ notification 2018 a planned erosion of CRZ Notification 2011
By reducing CRZ area to 50m from hazard lines, it will create an environmental crisis, damage fragile coastal ecology
Notification does not protect ecology & livelihoods of coastal inhabitants
Notification violates Art. 51A(g) which mandates protection and improvement of the natural environment, including forest, lakes, rivers and wildlife
Also violates Section 3 of the Environment Act 1986 which requires Centre to protect and improve quality of environment
