PANAJI
In a major setback to the anti-marina protesters, the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has granted its green signal to the proposed AHOY Marina in Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) waters. The Ministry has said that the project does not require Environmental Clearance (EC) but will have to obtain all other statutory permissions.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry during its meeting held on October 5 has resolved that the “project does not come under the ambit of EIA notification 2006 as amended and does not require EC at the Ministry”.
“However, the project proponent has to take other statutory clearances as applicable as per CRZ notification,” the EAC added.
AHOY Marina, as it has been called, was proposed by Kargwal Constructions Pvt Limited, across 1,00,000 sq mts stretch, with land area admeasuring 50,000 sq mts as per the Environment Impact Assessment report.
The project was to facilitate small boat, yacht and craft parking and maintenance in MPT water. Additional facilities will be provided to facilitate activities pertaining to holidaying, pleasure spending, staying, swimming, shopping, cultural activities and others.
The project was initially approved by the Investment Promotion Board in 2015, but following massive opposition by villagers and environmentalists, who said the facility will harm the ecology, marine life and destroy traditional fishing activity, the State government had dropped the project in 2021.
Kargwal had signed a concession agreement with MPA for a 30-year lease to establish the marina in its waters that envisaged accommodating 239 boats on the northern bank of Mormugao Bay.
The State government had even informed the High Court that it has dropped the Marina project.
In an affidavit submitted before the High Court, the petitioners had contended that they would be adversely affected by the setting up of a marina which they say will affect their life and livelihood, including their livelihood of fishing.
It would also affect the economy and environment including the breeding of fish and the marine biodiversity, and affect the large number of nesting and migratory birds visiting the area.
