PANAJI
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has turned back the proposal for a marina at Nauxi on grounds that it could not possibly assess the plan without the State's Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) being finalised and notified.
The proposal for setting up the 'Ahoy Marina' moved by Mumbai-based Kargwal Constructions Pvt Ltd had come up on the EAC's agenda at its March 10 meeting.
The EAC noted that the CZMP of Goa is still not approved and that the matter of finalising the coastal plan is still pending. It therefore advised the project proponent to re-submit the proposal only after the CZMP is finalised and approved by the MoEF&CC.
Kargwal Constructions Pvt. Ltd is proposing to build a marina along the Zuari river bank and had moved it through the Mormugao Port Authority on grounds that the waters come under its jurisdiction.
The proposal, however, is facing stiff opposition from residents of Nauxi and surrounding areas, mostly traditional fishermen who for generations are dependent for their livelihoods on the river.
They fear the project will disturb the marine life ecosystem in the Zuari river and adversely affect their lives.
The villagers had also alleged that the environment impact assessment report that was prepared by the agency was faulty and that the project was being forced upon them without any plans for required support infrastructure which would in turn have a devastating effect on the environment on the surrounding areas.
