PANAJI
Apart from Goa’s four recognised turtle nesting sites, the State Forest Department has proposed that several of Goa’s most popular tourist beaches, including Calangute, Candolim, Miramar, Palolem, Baga and others, be notified as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019.
In its comments on the draft CZMP 2019, the Forest Department has also proposed that 12,745 survey numbers across the State, containing mangrove cover should be incorporated as ecologically sensitive areas within the CZMP limits.
The department noted that the list of ecologically sensitive areas identified in the plan is not exhaustive and has sought inclusion of several coastal stretches due to their ecological importance and vulnerability to developmental pressures.
The proposal covers beaches such as Calangute, Candolim, Miramar, Baga, Palolem, Arambol, Ashvem, Vagator, Querim, Rajbag, Mobor, Cabo de Rama, Patnem, Benaulim, Cola, Carmona, Cavelossim, Varca and Baina. The department has also reiterated that the four turtle nesting beaches of Morjim, Mandrem, Agonda and Galgibaga should continue to receive ecological protection under the CZMP.
The Forest Department noted that several of the proposed beaches have, over the years, reported turtle nesting activities, sightings of nesting turtles or possess ecological characteristics conducive for marine turtle nesting. It maintained that these coastal stretches, besides serving as major tourism destinations, are also environmentally sensitive habitats that warrant protection under the CZMP framework.
The department has further flagged the omission of several mangrove-bearing areas from the draft coastal plan. Referring to the draft Mangrove Management Plan prepared for Goa, it stated that 12,745 survey numbers across the State have been identified as containing mangrove cover.
The identified mangrove survey numbers are spread across 67 villages in nine talukas, with the highest concentrations in Ponda, Bicholim, Pernem, Bardez, Salcete and Tiswadi. The department has urged the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), which prepared the draft CZMP, to suitably incorporate these beaches and mangrove areas in the final plan to ensure long-term protection of Goa’s fragile coastal ecosystems.
