PANAJI
Amid concerns raised by villagers and environmental groups, the Goa government on Monday clarified that the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 and its maps have not yet been placed in the public domain for suggestions and objections, and that the formal consultation process will be undertaken in due course.
Director of Environment Sachin Dessai told media that the draft maps are currently being circulated only among Block Development Officers (BDOs) for their comments and not for public scrutiny. He assured that once the draft CZMP is officially made public, citizens will be given adequate time-between 30 and 60 days to submit suggestions and objections, followed by public hearings, as mandated under CRZ norms.
“There was some confusion. We have not sent the plan or maps for public scrutiny. At present, they are only at the panchayat and BDO level,” Dessai said, clarifying that the January 20 deadline applies solely to BDOs for submitting their inputs.
Earlier in the day, representatives of coastal villages and NGOs, accompanied by Velim MLA Cruz Silva, met the Director of Environment seeking an extension of the deadline. The delegation pointed out that several BDOs had circulated the draft CZMP maps to village panchayats via email last week, asking them to submit comments and objections by January 20.
Silva said the delegation flagged that the 6“7 day window effectively available for feedback was grossly inadequate for meaningful consultation, which is a critical stage in finalising the CZMP.
“We have demanded that at least two months be provided after the draft is placed in the public domain. During CZMP 2011, the public was actively involved in drafting and finalisation, and the same transparent process should be followed this time as well,” he said.
Environmental activist Abhijit Prabhugaonkar said the Director clarified the confusion during the meeting and assured that the statutory 30“60 day period for public scrutiny would be provided in line with the CRZ notification. He added that several panchayats have already written to their respective BDOs, formally seeking an extension of the January 20 deadline.
