PANAJI
Stating that proper public hearing is a must for good Coastal Zone Management Plan, Goencho Avaaz demanded that Coastal Zone Management Authority rather than doing just a formality of holding public hearings should first conduct village-wise awareness programmes about the CZMP plans and than conduct a proper CZMP hearing giving ample opportunity to people to put forth their important views.
“We are in favour of a very good CZMP plan in Goa. It took us 12 years for this plan to come. We don’t mind waiting for a little more time but give us a good plan,” demanded Roshan Mathais of Goencho Avaaz.
“GCZMA should conduct village-wise awareness programmes to help the people to understand the plans,” said Mathais.
Mathais objected to a last minute change in venue by the Collector for the public hearing on CZMP.
Less time was given for public hearing and the public was not allowed to speak, he alleged and said the plans were not made available on time for study before the hearing and last minute venue was changed.
Goencho Avaaz convener Swanesh Sherlekar condemned the hasty proceeding which was held at Kala Academy and Ravindra Bhavan.
“This is a shame for us as public was not allowed to participate. We Goencho Avaaz condemn this,” said Sherlekar adding that the biggest stakeholder is the fishermen community which was not allowed to participate.
