Panaji: After missing the October 2023 and May 2024 deadlines, the Goa Government has now set January 2025 as the new timeframe to complete the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019.
Statement of Goa’s Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel
In an affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Goa’s Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel revealed that the Thiruvananthapuram-based National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), which was appointed to draft CZMP 2019, has assured that the coastal plan will be completed by January 2025. Goel also mentioned that a proposal from NCESS for the preparation of an Integrated Coastal Regulation Zone Plan (ICRZP) is pending government approval.
Delay in Coastal Zone Management Plan
The delay of nearly five years since the CRZ notification 2019 was issued means the rules and regulations are not currently applicable to Goa due to the absence of an updated plan.
Missed Deadlines and Project Delays
The State missed the initial October 31, 2023 deadline set by the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA), leading the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to stop granting permissions under CRZ 2011 for developmental projects in the State. The Goa Government then requested an extension until May 31, 2024, but the lack of an updated CZMP 2011 based on a 1:25,000 scale halted the new plan’s progress.
Issues with Mapping and Coordination
During the hearing, the NGT noted mapping issues and stated that the State has engaged both the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), which prepared CZMP 2011, and NCESS for the task. Additionally, the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa has been involved in studying beach nourishment. However, the NGT highlighted the lack of clarity on incorporating these various studies into the CZMP.
NGT Criticism of MoEF&CC
The NGT criticized the MoEF&CC for providing insufficient assistance to coastal states and union territories (UTs) in finalizing their CZMPs. The tribunal pointed out a lack of coordination between coastal state/UT governments, NCSCM, and MoEF. The NGT directed MoEF&CC to issue suitable clarifications and provide necessary assistance to ensure timely completion of CZMPs across all coastal states and UTs.
