Goa Chief Minister Pledges to Protect Local Interests in Coastal Management
In a significant assurance to the state's Legislative Assembly, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday declared that the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for 2019 will only be presented for public consultation after all port limits applied to villages, which appear to expand these boundaries, are completely removed from the document. This commitment came during a calling attention motion where opposition members raised serious concerns about the potential implications of the plan.
Opposition Raises Alarms Over Port Limit Depictions
Opposition MLAs, including Venzy Veigas, Cruz Silva, Altone D’Costa, and Viresh Borkar, highlighted that the CZMP draft depicts extensive port limits within village areas. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai elaborated on the issue, stating that large stretches of rivers and riverbanks traditionally utilized by local communities and fishermen, along with riparian villages, now seem to fall under port jurisdiction.
Sardesai expressed that this has generated widespread apprehension, fearing that such demarcations could gradually erode the customary rights of Goans over their rivers, restrict traditional access and livelihoods, and potentially open the door for external authorities or commercial interests to exert greater control over the waterways.
CM's Firm Commitments on Coal and River Rights
Chief Minister Sawant provided clear assurances on multiple fronts. He promised that coal handling in Goa will not be increased, and emphasized that rivers in the state would not be nationalized, ensuring that rights over Goa's rivers will remain with Goa. "Inland waterways will not be used for coal transportation other than only in one or two places where it exists at present," Sawant stated firmly.
He clarified that the draft CZMP 2019 has not yet been put up for public consultation, addressing confusion by noting that the version circulated by some members was intended for interdepartmental consultation only. "The members ran with it and it is creating chaos among people," he remarked, urging calm and accurate information dissemination.
Specific Concerns About Betul Port and Sagarmala
MLA Vijai Sardesai raised additional alarms regarding the resurrection of the Betul port project, which had been previously scrapped by the central government. He pointed out that new road and rail connectivity is being proposed for the port, suggesting it is intended for bauxite and coal transportation, not local fisheries. "Fish does not require a train for transportation. The project poses an existential threat to River Sal," Sardesai warned.
He further criticized the Sagarmala project, noting that it does not include a single initiative that would benefit local fishermen, highlighting a disconnect between large-scale infrastructure plans and community needs.
Government's Reference Point and Future Steps
In response to these concerns, Chief Minister Sawant outlined the government's approach, stating that they would use the 2011 CZMP as a reference, which did not show port limits, and base the 2019 plan on this foundation. "We have not surrendered any rivers, they will remain here for the Goans. I assure Goans that we will not increase coal handling, and all river rights will remain with Goans," the CM reiterated, reinforcing his commitment to protecting state interests.
This comprehensive assurance from the Chief Minister aims to address the fears of local communities and opposition members, ensuring that coastal management and river rights in Goa are preserved for its residents, with a clear stance against expanded commercial exploitation that could undermine traditional livelihoods and environmental integrity.
