Consultation meets for fresh CZMP to continue

Panaji: Minister for Environment Nilesh Cabral on Thursday said that the government will continue with the public consultation meetings in connection with the preparation of a fresh Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011 for the state of Goa.

It may be recalled that people from Pernem and Canacona had driven away Cabral, during such public consultation meetings held at these places, recently.

Speaking during the Question Hour, Cabral said that the new plan will include High Tide Line (HTL), Low Tide Line (LTL), Hazard Line, sand dunes, mangroves, khazan lands, salt panes, archaeological sites of importance and so on. “We will take the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 for Goa as a base while preparing the CZMP 2011 for Goa,” he added.

Speaking further, the Minister for Environment said that his department has already written a letter to the North Goa and South Goa Collectors as regards preparation of the CZMP 2011 for Goa. “We will also fly drones to identify through clear images all the details along the beach areas in the state,” he informed, pointing out that almost all officials in his department are Goans.

Cabral also informed that he has completed the first round of meeting about the CZMP 2011 with the Minister and Secretary to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

Replying to a query from Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, the Minister for Environment stated that the recent demolition of the Furtado Guest House along Sernabatim beach was ordered by the National Green Tribunal, as the owner of the same had extended the original structure and then failed to produce the required documents before the authorities.