No Cabinet decision to relax CRZ, NDZ: Alina PANJIM: Differing with a recent statement by the pro-tourism lobby within the government, Environment Minister Alina Saldanha, said that the State Cabinet has not taken any decision seeking relaxation for the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and No Development Zone (NDZ).
21 Jan, 2015 TEAM HERALD PANJIM: Differing with a recent statement by the pro-tourism lobby within the government, Environment Minister Alina Saldanha, said that the State Cabinet has not taken any decision seeking relaxation for the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and No Development Zone (NDZ). “We cannot play with nature as the consequences can be severe and we will have only ourselves to blame” Saldanha said. At a press conference recently, the pro-tourism lobby within the government had said that they had petitioned the Centre that it take cognizance of the Swaminathan report and relax the CRZ and NDZ norms in certain areas of the State’s 105 km long coastline. The environment minister opined that the existing 200 mts NDZ was most beneficial to the State and to the interest of various stakeholders. “This was the wisdom of our ancestors which has kept the NDZ intact till date and is maintained for the protection of the water bodies, their biodiversity and indirectly for the protection of mankind,” she said. She added that it is a fact that Goa is a popular tourist destination precisely because of its green and beautiful environment. Saldanha argued that the continuous influx of migrants had made Goa congested and polluted thus reaching a saturation point. There is a decline in tourists visiting the State this year because of complaints of overcrowded beaches, garbage and other factors having no connection whatsoever to the NDZ limits. “Decreasing the NDZ will only increase congestion and further drive away the tourists,” Saldanha insisted. Pointing out that some CRZ rules and regulations allow for necessary tourism related development on the beaches viz in CRZ II between LTL and HTL, community toilets with changing rooms and rain shelters are allowed. The same are also allowed in CRZ III area. This is, however, not an open permission but will be permitted on a case-to-case basis and therefore urgent tourism needs can be met without decreasing the NDZ, she said. The environment minister, however, applauded and supported the tourism minister’s demand that Airport Authority of India should reduce the exorbitant increase in royalty charges and scrapping of the user development fee imposed on Dabolim airport passengers and for demanding that Dabolim airport be made operational 24 hours a day for all scheduled and non scheduled foreign flights. “The Navy must provide space for civilian expansion activities of Dabolim airport and shift its clubs and golf course elsewhere for the sake of the tourism industry and the State at large,” she said.
