the goan I network
PANAJI
A Scheduled tribe organisation Gakuved Federation has strongly opposed the new CRZ notification 2019 alleging that the new law will result in snatching tribal rights over rivers and khazan lands.
The organisation members have alleged that due to a reduction of the No Development Zone (NDZ) from 200 meters to 50 meters construction activities will increase in the coastal belt and all waste will flow into the sea.
Gakuved has supported the protest call against CRZ 2019 given by National Fishworkers Forum at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on February 23.
“Many tribals are traditional fishermen and they will get displaced due to the notification,” said Rupesh Velip, General Secretary of Gawada Kunbi Velip and Dhangar Federation (Gakuved)
In the coastal belts like Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim, Odxel, Dona Paula, Siridao, Sancoale, Cortalim, Madkaim most of the tribal population is dependent on fishing activities for their livelihood.
Rupesh Velip said that the central and state governments have violated its own constitution thereby violating section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, under which the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification was enacted.
The dilution of the CRZ is a desperate attempt by the government to push Sagarmala plans which will concretise the entire 105-km coastline of Goa and 190 km riverine stretch, alleged Velip.
This amendment will be a curse to fishermen, toddy tappers, farmers, tourism and shack owners and will eventually displace tribal communities like the inland
fishermen and their families, he added.
He said that the notification will affect mangroves, corals and coral reefs and associated biodiversity, sand dunes, mudflats, salt marshes, turtle nesting grounds,
horseshoe crabs, seagrass beds, nesting grounds of birds, areas or structures of archaeological importance and heritage sites.
He pointed out that the previous notification has been amended 37 times and what guarantee the state or central government will give to the people of Goa that the
notification will not be amended again.
