Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral has sought clarification from the Union Ministry over its decision to classify the areas with population density of more than 2161 per sq kms as per 2011 Census base as CRZ-III areas.
The No Development Zone (NDZ) measured from the High Tide Line (HTL) on the landward side has been reduced to 50 metres from the existing 200 metres.
“We want to know based on what did they arrived at the population figure of 2161. We have many villages with more than 1,500 population and needs to be considered as CRZ III. Goa is a special case,” said Cabral
He further said that he will soon be visiting Delhi to discuss the matter.
“We want to know based on what did they arrived at the population figure of 2161. We have many villages with more than 1,500 population and needs to be considered as CRZ III. Goa is a special case,” he said adding that he will be soon visiting to Delhi to discuss the matter.
Cabral said that the first meeting with the NCESS officials will be held next week during which the timeline for completion of the plan will be finalised.
“The National Green Tribunal has granted deadline of March 2023 to complete the plan. But that is not practically possible for us,” the Minister said.
In the latest notification, Ministry has further amended CRZ Rules 2019 and allowed manual extraction of sand from sand bars and temporary seasonal structures without operation during monsoon.