Panaji, July 26 (TNN): Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar will lead a delegation to Union minister for environment and forests (MoEF) Prakash Javadekar to convince him to amend the CRZ notification of January 2011 in order to protect the interests of the traditional inhabitants in coastal areas of Goa, environment minister Alina Saldanha said on Friday.
Replying to a calling attention motion by Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo, Saldanha said that Parrikar is the chairman of a House committee looking into this issue and that she would accompany him to Delhi when he leads the delegation to meet Javadekar after the assembly session is over.
Lobo's calling attention motion said that there was fear in the minds of coastal people residing within 500 m of the high tide line in Goa due to repeated notices being sent to them by mamlatdars, deputy collectors, village panchayats, Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) and even courts. Lobo demanded relief for these traditional coastal inhabitants, primarily to the fishing community from Arambol to Canacona.
Saldanha recounted the entire history of structures in the CRZ areas of Goa, recalling how the high court of Bombay in Goa had twice ordered village panchayats to first identify the illegal structures and the directing the panchayats to act against them.
Saldanha said that the National Green Tribunal has directed to set up an inquiry committee headed by a retired district judge. While major CRZ violations are referred to this committee, minor complaints are referred to deputy collector and village panchayats. Saldanha said that the affected people are given a personal hearing to prove the legality of their cases as per the law.
Saldanha said that under provisions of the new CRZ notification 2011, clause 6(d) the dwelling units constructed by traditional inhabitants post 1991 and which do not have approval for authorities, can be considered for regularization subject that these stretches are not used for commercial activity or are sold or leased out to non-traditional local community.
Lobo pointed out that these traditional inhabitants do run small guesthouses, restaurants or such commercial establishments adjoining their homes much earlier to the CRZ notifications and therefore they should not be touched. Saldanha said the House committee led by Parrikar will make all efforts to convince the Centre to modify the CRZ notification 2011 accordingly.