Candolim locals say no ‘further urbanisation’

Calangute: The issue of constructions in violation of the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) 2011 resurfaced, with a gram sabha of the Candolim panchayat last Sunday adopting a resolution opposing any further “development and urbanisation” of the beachside 500m in the CRZ.

The Calangute panchayat will be also be holding an extraordinary gram sabha on Friday to discuss “provisions of the CRZ notification 2011”, where officials from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) “will explain the rules, different zone classifications and their impact on Calangute’s traditional inhabitants”.

Following discussions at last Sunday’s gram sabha, a resolution was adopted stating, “There is a notification in force, CRZ 2011, which does not permit any development in 0-200m from the high tide line. Construction of residential houses by any person other than a local Goan in the 200-500m zone is also not permitted. The notification is not being sincerely implemented by the GCZMA. This is leading to losing the beauty of Candolim. Whereas the 200-500m zone must be protected from future development. The gram sabha opposes any future constructions. The gram sabha does not support any future urbanisation in the CRZ 200-500 zone through CRZ II as is being proposed by some politicians.”