PANAJI
Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) Expert Member Savio Correia has stated that the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2011 has recognised beach stretches of Morjim, Mandrem, Agonda, and Galgibaga as “sea turtle nesting sites” and the need to develop a turtle beach management plan.
He was responding to claims by locals that the recent Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) does not have any mention of space for the conservation of turtles on Morjim beach.
“The GCZMA has prepared a draft “Sea Turtle Nesting and Habitat Management Plan” as part of CZMP emphasizing scientific management and protection of entire nesting habitat with involvement of multiple stakeholders especially the local community who use or depend on the beach space and beach ecosystem services for livelihoods and socio-economic needs,” said Correia.
For effective management of multiple usages of the beach spaces, he said the plan recommends that beaches of Mandrem and Morjim be classified under ‘No Take Zone’, ‘Sustainable Tourism Zone’ and ‘Fisheries Livelihoods Zone’, while entire beach stretches of Agonda and Galgibaga are classified under ‘No Take Zones’.
“The ‘No Take Zones’ are No-Go areas where commercial activities are prohibited except setting up of hatcheries, conservation education and patrolling stations, etc.”
“The ‘Sustainable Tourism’ zones allow sea turtle-based tourism activities in a highly regulated manner by following a mandatory 20 meters distance between shacks to provide for sufficient nesting space, lights-off by 8 pm, and are built on stilts in addition to following other prescribed guidelines.”
“The ‘Fisheries Livelihoods Zone’ are marked on the beach so that conflicting activities do not infringe on the fisher’s daily beach space,” said Correia.
According to Correia, historical nesting data shows that turtles have nested all along the beach stretch.
In order to protect nests laid outside the No-Take areas, Correia said the draft plan recommends that they be immediately shifted to the hatchery for greater protection and monitoring.
“It has been our experience that shack owners and villagers willingly cooperate with the forest department and support conservation, education, and awareness activities.
“Nesting especially on Morjim beach has seen an increasing trend since 2015-16. Locals’ involvement is the key to success in any conservation initiative.”
“I feel that the hard-line approach propounded by some environmentalists could provoke conflict between conservation efforts and the local community and disturb man-animal harmony.”
“That would be detrimental to our flippered guests. To me personally, the bigger worry is the silence of CRZ Notification 2019 on recognising sea turtle nesting beaches in Goa” he added.
