PANAJI
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has granted its nod for the proposed maintenance dredging at the mouth of river Chapora, directing the Captain of Ports (CoP) to ensure that there is no impact on the turtle nesting sites and the project is completed before the nesting period.
The CRZ clearance was granted even as the Forest Department red-flagged the possible impact of dredging on the Morjim and Mandrem turtle beaches and requested an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study.
“The Authority after detailed discussion decided to approve the proposal subject to the condition that the project shall not affect in any way the turtle nesting sites, therefore it should be completed before the nesting period and in consultation with the Forest Department,” GCZMA said.
In a submission to the coastal watchdog, the Forest Department had informed that Morjim beach, which is located near the proposed dredging site, is a designated turtle nesting beach and it is apprehended that dredging in the river may affect the stability of the nearby beaches, including the Morjim beach and hence an EIA study be undertaken.
However, CoP, countered it stating that the proposed site is about one kilometer from the potential turtle nesting sites at Morjim beach and that the sediment plums generated during the maintenance dredging is unlikely to reach the potential nesting site. “Therefore the normal nesting activity of turtles will not be disturbed,” it said.
Further, CoP said that contractors would be directed to use equipment and vehicles that are in good working order, well-maintained, and equipped with functioning noise suppression. “During dredging if marine mammals and turtles are observed in the vicinity of the work area, the vessel engaged in dredging would execute measures to avoid destruction or disturbance,” the project proponent said.
The CoP informed that the proposed dredging area is 1000 meters in length, 50 meters wide and 2.50 meters from existing depth and is 1 km away from River Island, as against the concern raised by the forest department. “The contractor will be directed to take necessary mitigation measures to protect the avifauna habitat,” it said.
The PP said that the last maintenance dredging across the mouth of the river was carried out in 2018-19 and there was no significant damage to the environment or the turtles/mammals.
“There is an urgent demand from the local MLA and the Chapora Boat Owners Association to undertake the dredging on priority as the problem of sedimentation of the river mouth has been detrimental for safe navigation of fishing vessels,” CoP said, highlighting the recent incident where two vessels were grounded.
Earlier, the GCZMA expert members conducted site inspection and observed that the site falls in CRZ IV area as per CRZ notification 2011.
