It is but common sense to know that these illegal permanent shacks (structures) will further aggravate beach erosion due to the rampant destruction of sand dunes. Dunes grow when the wind blows sand onto them, they need plenty of sea wind.”
Olencio Simoes,
GRE jt GS
......
Fishermen against shacks structures on beach during monsoons
Says clause is backdoor entry for CRZ violations
THE GOAN NETWORK
CORTALIM
The National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) and Goenchea Ramponkaranchea Ekvott (GRE) have criticised the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF) for allowing seasonal beach shacks to remain stationed even during the monsoon.
The NFF and GRE has decided to send their written objection to the MoEF and the State and Central governments to drop the objectionable sections of the new draft notification with immediate effect.
“It is interesting to note that the government is burning the midnight oil to bring in vicious clauses. However, the government has not bothered to regularize the traditional dwellings of the fishermen and tribal community,” said GRE president Agnelo Rodrigues in a press note.
NFF secretary and GRE joint general secretary Olencio Simoes took objection to the new draft notification which states that 'structures shall not be removed and dismantled during the month of June to August, provided that the facilities provided in these structures shall remain non-operational during the month of June to August.'
“We wonder what vested logic was applied by the Central Government while inserting this ghastly clause in the draft notification. How will the beach shacks withstand the monsoon when rough waves and strong winds hit the beach during the rainy season?” questioned Simoes in a press note.
“The government hasn’t managed to curb CRZ violations throughout the coastal belt of India and Goa in particular. The action rate of curbing CRZ violation by the government is almost non-existent in Goa and India on a whole. This is an innovative way of misusing the law to give back-door entry to further CRZ illegalities,” alleged Simoes.
“It is but common sense to know that these illegal permanent shacks (structures) will further aggravate beach erosion due to the rampant destruction of sand dunes. Dunes grow when the wind blows sand onto them, they need plenty of sea wind.”
“Now, we fear that fairly protected beaches situated in locations like Kerim to Morjim, Chapora to Sinquerim, Caranzalem to Miramar, Vasco to Mobor and Talpona to Galgibaga will not be spared either. The insertion of this clause will only further help the vested to loot the country’s ever-dilapidating environment lock, stock and barrel,” rued Simoes.
