PANJIM: Going ahead with the finalisation of the much-delayed Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for Goa, the State government has commenced the process to demarcate High Tide Line (HTL) along the bunds (embankments) along rivers and creeks.
The process, which will be completed by June 30, has been initiated following necessary amendment to the Coastal Regulation Notification (CRZ) 2011 by Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
Prior to this, the HTL was demarcated depending on how far landward the saline water travelled during the high tide.
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said that a joint team comprising of officials from department of Environment, Water Resources and Directorate of Settlement and Land Records to identify, demarcate and notify HTL along the bunds along rivers and creeks.
“The demarcation will include also those bunds which are broken. The repairs will be undertaken subsequently. The process is important to finalise the CZMP, which was pending due the amendment,” Cabral said.
The Minister informed that once the demarcation is complete, the same would be presented to National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) for its inclusion in CZMP.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed Union Ministry to finalise and notify CZMP by May 31, 2020. However, due to the nationwide lockdown,
which came into force from March 25, in view of COVID pandemic, the process was delayed.
Meanwhile, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has decided to construct eco-friendly traditional natural bunds for preserving and conserving marine life.
During its board meeting, held last month, the Authority took this decision as a proactive conservation measure.
This entailed, directing the Water Resources Department (WRD) to undertake construction of traditional type bund at any of the on-going works running a span of 100 mts or so, to check its viability and porosity. This will be on a pilot basis.