Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Agonda coastal residents have pointed out several discrepancies in the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP)-2019 maps and have demanded an extension of the deadline for submitting objections, along with deputation of experts to explain the technical details of the maps. Following an emergency gram sabha, the village panchayat has decided to write to the concerned authorities seeking both.
The emergency gram sabha was convened by Agonda Sarpanch Nilesh Pagui after a large number of residents gathered at the panchayat office seeking clarification on the draft CZMP-2019 maps submitted by the government to the village panchayat, inviting public comments and suggestions by January 20, 2026.
Residents informed the gram sabha that while they have several valid objections to raise, they are unable to do so effectively without expert guidance. They sought explanations on what the 1:25,000 and 1:4,000 scale maps represent and the data incorporated in them.
Villager Hendrick Fernandes raised serious concerns over the government’s claim that the CZMP maps were prepared based on old cadastral plans. He produced a written reply received from the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, Government of Goa, stating that Agonda village of Canacona taluka was never surveyed during the Portuguese regime, and hence old cadastral plans of the village are not available on record.
“If old cadastral plans do not exist, the government must clarify which cadastral plans were actually used to prepare these CZMP maps,” Fernandes demanded.
Echoing the concern, Sarpanch Pagui said that despite the government’s assertion, there is documentary proof that cadastral surveys were not conducted for the entire Canacona taluka, including Agonda village.
Residents further alleged that in the draft maps, existing houses are not shown, buffer zones are marked on private properties, and the entire Agonda beach is depicted as a turtle nesting site. They also claimed that important traditional coastal features such as fishing areas, fishing coast, canoe parking zones, and other customary activities have been ignored.
It was pointed out that many changes reflected in the draft maps are contrary to the recommendations and objections submitted by the village panchayat in 2019.
Sarpanch Pagui stated that CZMP is a critical and long-term planning document, and the limited time given for public scrutiny is inadequate. The gram sabha therefore resolved to seek an extension of the deadline and request the government to depute a panel of experts to explain the draft CZMP-2019 maps and report to the villagers.
Another resident, Clifford Fernandes, demanded immediate correction of the 1:4,000 scale maps by marking existing houses accurately. He also objected to buffer zones being shown in private properties near mangroves, stating that the 2019 CRZ notification does not permit buffer zones in private areas.
“We want the CZMP, but it must be prepared in a proper and correct manner,” Fernandes said.
