CRZ draft notification under fire from NGOs and civil society

the goan I network

MARGAO

Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) draft notification has come in for strong opposition from NGOs and civil society as they have vowed to strongly object to any attempt to dilute the present Coastal Regulation Zone Notification. 

The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum and the Cavelosism Villagers Forum, which have been waging a battle before various courts, including the National Green Tribunal, against the rampant CRZ violations on Salcete’s coast, have condemned the MoEF’s draft notification.  

Both have disclosed plans to lodge their objections in the matter. 

Addressing a joint conference, Colva Civic and Consumer Forum convenor Judith Almeida said if the motives were sincere and progressive, then the MoEF should have further strengthened and tightened all the loopholes used by the violators to destroy the environment. “This morning Goa, among the states, which was put on alert that waves of two-three meters height were expected. In these times of global warming and the stand taken by India at the Paris summit appears to be contradictory looking at the latest attempt to dilute the notification. This will further open areas that will be exposed to destruction by the ingress of sea water. Also, our farmers, traditional fishermen and villages will suffer the brunt of this notification,” Judith said. 

President of Cavelossim Villagers Forum Adv Irish Passainha echoed similar sentiments. “Our experience suggests that the current CRZ notification too was blatantly violated by unscrupulous elements. This latest notification is an attempt to help the hotels and builders’ lobbies and is not intended for the good of the local populace or the fishermen,” he said.  

Irish pointed out that his Forum will oppose the draft notification before the MoEF and if needed  challenge the same before the National Green Tribunal.