Villagers seek more time to submit inputs for draft CZMP 2019

Panaji: Some residents of coastal villages and green activists on Monday requested the environment department to extend the Jan 20 deadline for submitting suggestions on the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (2019).

Abhijeet Prabhudesai, member of welfare group Citizen of Coastal Community, said, “At least 100 panchayats are affected by the coastal regulation zone (CRZ), making CZMP 2019 essential. We need adequate time to study the maps and give inputs.”


He said fisherfolk, farmers and many more cannot read the maps. They need assistance to understand their rights and the ground reality.

Sachin Desai, director of Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, said, “There was a miscommunication regarding correspondence from the BDO office. The circular was intended for the director of panchayats. The feedback submission will take place as per the CRZ notification. Govt will issue a public notification in the newspapers, and they will be given ample time to correct and add suggestions to the CZMP maps.”

Cruz Silva, AAP’s Velim MLA, said the CZMP 2011 was approved after thorough consultation and after affected people’s suggestions were taken into account.