Panaji : Goencho Ekvott along with Fishermen’s Union submitted a Memorandum to Goa Coastal Management Authority objecting to draft CZMP prepared by National Centre for sustainable Coastal Management NCSCM. Goencho Ekvott (GE) has alleged that the draft plan is arbitrary, unscientific and also illegal.
“15 guidelines were not followed during the public hearing of the draft” asserted GR. Creson Antao the Convenor of Goencho Ekvott lamented saying, “Plans put for our review are completely wrong and local stakeholder should have been consulted before drafting the plan, if the authority fails to consult the stakeholders now then the entire process will be an eyewash, this will lead to the loss of Livelihood as well as environment.”
The memorandum has made strong allegations that the Draft CZMP will only facilitate the Ministry of Shipping/ Indian Ports association Sagarala Plan in Goa where Goa is declared as Coastal Economic zone.
GE also said since NCSCM never visited Goan villages to understand the unique coasts, Khazans, sluice gates, agricultural and fishing practices, the authority should re-do the plan which will benefit the environment and fishing communities.
