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Notify fishing villages for CRZ benefit, Goa told
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THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Prakash Javdekar said the government of Goa can notify the fishing villages where all foreshore facilities required for fishing and fishery allied activities such as traditional fish processing yards can be permitted by the gram panchayats in coastal regulation zone area.
In a letter to South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, the Union minister informed that the CRZ notification 2011 classifies the CRZ area of Goa under the areas requiring special consideration. “As per the notification, the government of Goa can notify the fishing villages where all foreshore facilities required for fishing and fishery allied activities such as traditional fish processing yards, boat building of repair yards, net mending yards, ice plants, ice storage, auction hall, jetties can be permitted by gram panchayats in the CRZ area”, Javdekar said.
The Union MoEF minister said the reconstruction, repair works of the structures of local communities, including fishermen is also permissible in CRZ area.
The Union minister made the observation after the South Goa MP requested him to provide relaxation under the CRZ notification, 2011 for construction and or repair of structures belonging to fisherfolks residing near the coast.
When contacted, the South Goa MP told The Goan he would draw the attention of the Goa government to the communication received from the Union minister to protect the interest of local fishermen. "Definitely, I will call on the chief minister to notify the fishing villages to protect the interest of the local fishermen and their habitat”, Narendra Sawaikar told The Goan.
