PANAJI
The Mini India Park, which was to come up at Quelossim village in Mormugao, but which was stopped after it was found that it had no permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and for CRZ violations, is now back.
The government is expected to take a decision on the proposal over the next few days.
The promoters have submitted a proposal to the government for conversion of 60,000 sq mt of wetlands to build a floating platform as part of a larger ‘Eco Environment Recreational Floating Park/Mini India Park with 5-star category resort, house boats, floating cottages and water sports activity.’
The company M/s Movaj Enterprises Private Ltd claims it has in its possession land admeasuring 9.16-lakh square metres of which 35,000 sq metres is marked as settlement zone "subject to clearance from Agriculture Department." Further, 1.25-lakh square metres is zoned as orchard and the rest is zoned as paddy fields.
The company is seeking 60,000 square metres to be converted as settlement zone instead of 35,000 sq metres as well as ‘assistance’ in utilizing an additional 60,000 for its floating platform to build the park.
The company is also seeking that the government declare the entire zone as marked for eco/hinterland tourism and has promised an investment of ₹625 crore in the project.
Work on the Mini India Park was stopped in 2014 after it was found that they were engaged in cutting of mangroves, filling land and other changes to the landscape without permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.
The GCZMA had rejected their request and it is unclear how the party proceeded with the work without the clearance.
The proponents have claimed that they have obtained a NOC from the village of Cortalim Quelossim as well as a site conditions survey from the office of the mamlatdar.
The project proponent has sought to assure that "in planning and execution of the project care shall be taken to preserve the flora and fauna of the area and infact, being a floating platform the biological life underneath will remain unharmed.”
