MARGAO
Voices of dissent against the draft CRZ 2018 notification reverberated on Salcete’s coastline “ right form Benaulim to Colva and Betalbatim -- as the local populace came out to oppose the law saying it will spell doom for the traditional fishing communities.
If the Goans Against CRZ 2018 descended on the Benaulim beach and registered their opposition through songs, music and speeches right on the beach, the Colva and Betalbatim gram sabhas were unanimous in their opposition to the notification.
At the Colva gram sabha, villagers in one voice objected to the proposal to reduce the No Development Zone form 200 meters from the High Tide Line to 50 meters. The gram sabha members decried the government’s nod to the CRZ notification despite strong objections from the fishermen.
The members condemned the government’s decision and called for a re-think on the nod given to the notification. Gram sabha member Shankuntala Mesquita said the government has totally bypassed the sentiments of the people of Goa and the stakeholders. “We condemn the government decision and demand that the nod granted to the CRZ notification be withdrawn,” she demanded.
Colva Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes said the CRZ notification has been rejected by the gram sabha on Sunday. He said the panchayat stands by the people on this issue, while asserting that the government’s nod was opposed at today’s gram sabha.
At the gram sabha in neighbouring Betalbatim panchayat, the CRZ notification proposing the dilution of the No Development Zone came in for rejection. When the issue was raised at the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Constancio Miranda, members opposed the notification.
The gram sabha opposed the CRZ notification in one voice which was supported by all the members. Sarpanch Constancio told The Goan there was vociferous opposition to the CRZ notification as members were all convinced it is not in the interest of the people of Goa.
In fact, a gram sabha member told The Goan after the meeting that the authorities should visit the Betalbatim beach where the life guard tower erected on the beach is being protected with sand bags after the rise in the sea level.
“The reduction in NDZ from 200 meters from 50 meters is not practical. Do they want to take the structures right in the sea?” the member questioned.
