PANAJI: On Friday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced in the House that the zonal master plan for eco-sensitive areas is complete. He mentioned that the government has received authorization to draft the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for 2019. Once finalized, structures located within 50 meters of the high tide line in urban areas will benefit, he stated.
MLAs emphasized the importance of completing the CZMP 2019 to support traditional coastal residents. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo urged for regular inspections by the tourism department regarding the licenses and insurance documentation of water sports operators to prevent accidents.
Lobo pointed out that while the tourism department issues and renews licenses, it does not verify whether the boats are properly licensed and insured.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas highlighted that the state’s coastal and biodiversity agencies lack a comprehensive plan for sand dune restoration. He advocated for policies to safeguard khazan lands and address the encroachment of mangroves on agricultural fields.
