PANAJI
The NCSCM has, in its report on the draft of Goa’s Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), retained the “port limits” which had been rejected unanimously by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the public.
The GCZMA had convened a special meeting on Monday to deliberate upon the report and maps submitted by the NCSCM pertaining to Goa’s draft CZMP 2011. Among the subjects discussed at the meeting was the issue of retaining “port limits” against the wishes of the people during the public consultations as well as contrary to the recommendations of the GCZMA.
The GCZMA is expected to submit these to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA), ahead of the December 31 deadline stipulated by the National Green Tribunal.
When contacted, a senior official confirmed that the NCSCM and the technical scrutiny committee reports had retained the “port limits”.
“However, the NCSCM is a recommendatory authority and its recommendations are not binding on the GCZMA,” said the official.
The official stated that retention of “port limits” could be attributed to the broader design wherein such a provision has been made.
“However, considering the fact that Goa’s coastline is small, GCZMA decided to reject the idea and the same was communicated clearly to the NCZMA in the past,” said the official.
The issue gains relevance on the backdrop of the passing of the Major Port Authorities Bill 2020 in the Parliament which grants sweeping powers to any major ports authority, in Goa’s case the Mormugao Port Trust, to carry out constructions and development activities on such areas which have been delineated as “port limits”.
Considering that a major port authority supersedes even the town and country planning department of a state vis-a-vis construction and development laws, retention of such “port limits” could eventually pose a major threat to the livelihood of fishing community across Goa’s coastline wherever such areas have been earmarked.
On this backdrop, it is now left to be seen whether the NCZMA pays heed to the voice of Goa’s people and the state’s CZMA or whether the wishes of the NCSCM prevail in the matter.
