MARGAO
A storm is brewing along the banks of the river Sal, as the river, considered the lifeline of Salcete, has been shown as “Port Limits” on the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), leaving the people inhabiting the river banks confused and agitated, with villagers calling for the immediate deletion of the words “Port Limits” from the plan.
Chinchinim village Panchayat headed by Sarpanch Inacinha Rebello has set the ball rolling when the Panchayat resolved to request the Coastal Zone Management Authority and the government of Goa not to show river Sal as Port Limits’.
Carmona village Panchayat headed by Sarpanch Allwyn Jorge has followed suit as the Panchayat meeting on Friday has resolved to hold a Special meeting to deliberate on the CZMP issue acting on various representations received from the villagers.
The Carmona Sarpanch said the villagers have pointed out that as per CZMP the entire River Sal has been designated as Port Limits, with fears raised in many quarters that the river has come under the control of the MPT. “This is unacceptable to the villagers as private land & khazan owners will be ruined if this is true. The dredging of River Sal seems to be well calculated move to make a navigational channel for movement of cargo and barges”, Allwyn said.
He added: “We will plan for a site inspection at the Special meeting and also I would like to check the sea worthiness of the dredging for barges. The Sarpanch said the Panchayat has also received requests from the villagers for postponement of the public hearing concerning the CZMP.
In the resolution adopted at the Chinchinim panchayat meeting, it was stated that the Panchayat has received the plan for suggestions and objections showing river Sal, including the part of the river falling within the jurisdiction of the panchayat and the banks of the river up to around 50 mts, as port limits.
“This will have adverse impact on the village. Hence, the Panchayat resolves to request the CZMA and the government of Goa not to show river Sal as ‘port limits’ in the draft and final CZMP”, the resolution stated.
Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva, who has called for a gram sabha on February 28 to discuss the CZMP has asserted that the government should immediately delete the word “Port Limits” in respect of the river Sal from the Plan. “This is totally unacceptable and highly condemnable. We will discuss the matter at the gram sabha”, Savio said.
Former Ambelim Sarpanch Cruz Silva pointed out that a signature campaign is presently underway in the village to request the Panchayat to call for a gram sabha to discuss the CZMP plan at the earliest. “The very mention of the word “Port Limits” in respect of River Sal has raised apprehensions amongst the people inhabiting the river. We would like to know whether the Port limits means the river has come under the MPT or the Captain of Ports. Let the government depute its official for the gram sabha and explain the plan”, Cruz said.
The traditional fishermen have already submitted a letter to the local Panchayats to convene a gram sabha to discuss the CZMP before the public hearing takes place on March 7.
Cruz pointed out that the people will petition the government to hold separate public hearings for the individual panchayats to facilitate discussion of the CZMP threadbare instead of holding a day-long hearing for the entire South Goa district.
