PANAJI
The public consultation on the draft Goa Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 has been delayed owing to non-submission of the crucial components such as the environment management plan for ecologically sensitive areas, the integrated island management plan, and the eco-tourism plan.
While the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is responsible for preparing the environmental and island management plans, the tourism and forest departments are yet to submit the eco-tourism master plans.
However, as part of CZMP 2019, the State has drafted a comprehensive plan allowing traditional fisherfolk to construct dwelling units within 100 to 200 metres of the High Tide Line (HTL).
The CZMP prepared by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), Thiruvananthapuram, had in January submitted the draft plan to the State government. The environment department circulated this draft to various government bodies seeking feedback, but response has been poor, forcing the department to extend the deadlines for submission.
“All these four plans need to be incorporated in the draft CZMP 2019 before placing it in public domain for objections and suggestions. These plans are a crucial part of planning under CZMP,” a senior official said.
Meanwhile, officials said that the government has accepted the long-pending demand of coastal communities proposing allowing traditional fisherfolk to construct dwelling units within 100 to 200 metres of the HTL. “This is also part of the CZMP 2019 and will be placed before public suggestion,” officials said.
Under the draft, housing for fisherfolk within the 100“200 metre stretch would be regulated rather than prohibited, marking a departure from earlier restrictions.
Apart from this, officials informed that the Mangrove, Khazan Management Plans and Turtle Nesting Plan have been prepared as part of CZMP.
The government has already missed two deadlines -- October 2023 and May 2024 -- set by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to finalize the plan.
