CRZ 2011 NOTIFIED WITH CHANGES OF CLEARING OUT MANGROVES

PANJIM: Though the new CRZ 2011 has been notified with changes, fresh violations ranging from clearing of mangroves to hotel and government projects continue to reduce it to a mockery, alleged speakers at a seminar in the city.  "A hotel project has come up within the CRZ in Issorcim, Mormugao," Matanhy Saldanha said.

Speaking during the session on a session related to implementation of CRZ at a seminar organized by Media Information and Communication Centre of India and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, (FES) India, in association with International Centre, Saldanha said the law was being blatantly violated.

Further, he alleged that despite complaints, the project was now a full-fledged resort. "One cannot expect the law to be enforced as it is a case of corruption by people in high places," the former tourism minister said. Saldanha also cited how mangroves were being extensively hacked in Sancoale, Chicalim and other places in Zuari bay and Nerul and St Estevam without any action by authorities.

As per the old CRZ 1991, coastal zone management plans were to be formulated. "There was no planning for 19 years while CRZ 1991 lasted. How can we expect anything now?" he stated.

While expressing disappointment that no government officials were present to answer queries regarding CRZ, the former Cortalim MLA questioned the fate of proposals to map khazan lands, demarcate mangrove areas and identify fishing villages in Goa as per the CRZ 2011.

Other speakers raised issues about the poor implementation of CRZ, stating that it was the intervention of Bombay high court at Goa which led to identification of illegal structures within the no development zone. "But there is no surveillance system to keep vigil on fresh violations. As per the existing framework, the Goa coastal zone management authority acts on complaints but hardly initiates suo moto action," a speaker pointed out.

The focus seems to be more on the seaside, but though the CRZ also covers the riverfront up to areas of tidal influence, the river banks appear to be almost a forgotten frontier. "There have been a few cases of complaints of violations along rivers. But barring these few cases, the CRZ in estuaries and rivers is totally ignored, resulting in undesirable development," a speaker said.

Nandini Sahai, director ICG, Rajeshwar Dyal, senior adivsor, FES-India, chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava, speaker Pratapsing Rane, Colin Curry and Arjun Halarnkar also spoke. - TNN