Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jan 21: Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urging the state government to provide a minimum of 60 days for the public, panchayats and other stakeholders to submit objections and suggestions to the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019, after its proper and official publication.

In his letter, Alemao said citizens are currently being given only six to eight days to study and respond to the draft, which he termed grossly inadequate. “Citizens are being given an extremely short period of 6 to 8 days to study, understand and raise objections to the draft CZMP. Such a limited timeframe is inadequate, unjust and against the spirit of democratic consultation envisaged under the CRZ framework,” he stated.

Alemao pointed out that the CZMP is a highly technical document with long-term implications, as it determines land use, coastal regulation, environmental protection and the livelihoods of thousands of people in Goa. He warned that any error or omission in the plan could have permanent and irreversible consequences, particularly for traditional fishing communities, coastal farmers, toddy tappers and residents of coastal villages.

Stressing the need for meaningful public participation, Alemao demanded that the draft CZMP be explained at the village and Gram Sabha level. He said officials should be present to clarify maps, boundaries and implications so that discussions are informed and effective. He further insisted that all errors, omissions and incorrect demarcations flagged by villagers, traditional communities and local bodies must be formally recorded and rectified before the plan is finalised.