PANAJI
The government on Friday officially notified the appointment of District Level Coastal
Monitoring Committees (DLCMC), to be headed by the district collectors, to act on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations in the State, a role earlier handled by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
As reported first in The Goan, the DLCMCs have been mandated the task of inquiring, monitoring and acting on cases of alleged violations of the CRZ areas declared under the Environment (Protection) Act.
The 10-member DLCMCs include various government officials and representatives of fishing and coastal communities. Incidentally, there is no provision for an independent expert member in the committee, though the DLCMC's have been empowered, "whenever required", to invite other experts as members during its meetings.
The DLCMCs will be required to monitor and to verify compliance of conditions stipulated in the permissions/licenses issued by the GCZMA for conducting any type of events and also,
temporary seasonal structures permitted by the GCZMA, while also acting instantly on complaints forwarded/referred to it by the GCZMA in a time bound manner.
The DLCMCs have also been empowered to issue Show Cause Notice/Stop Work orders to the alleged violator, direct government departments/authorities concerned to conduct necessary inquiry and submission of report, conduct site inspections, verification of documents and granting personal hearing to the parties, wherever required, and passing of necessary orders in the matter.
Significantly, the DLCMCs are required to direct mamlatdars in their jurisdiction to conduct necessary inquiry with regard to alleged violations of the provisions of the CRZ Notification
and seek for inquiry report.
The Mamlatdar's role has been clearly defined in the DLCMC and will be a key official to assist
the DLCMC by conducting inquiry when a complaint with regard to alleged CRZ violation is referred to it by the District Level Committee.
The mamlatdars are expected to act immediately in case any complaint or violation of the provisions of the CRZ Notification is noted/observed, which includes site inspection and verification of documents.
The Mamlatdars are expected to prepare a detailed report in case any violation is confirmed and to submit the report to the DLCMC for necessary action in the matter.
To maintain transparency in its working, the DLCMC will have to create a dedicated website and post the agenda, minutes, decisions taken, clearance letters, violations, action taken on violations and court matters including the orders of the Court and National Green Tribunal, and also the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan of the State government.
