Protest and Objection against TCP guidelines granting exception for tourism related projects for change of Zone in Ecologically sensitive areas

Date: 20/02/2019

To,

Mr. Vijay Sardessai,

Minister of Town and Country Planning,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (TCP),

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Chief Town Planner,

Town and Country Planning Department,

Government of Goa,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Protest and Objection against TCP guidelines granting exception for tourism related projects for change of Zone in Ecologically sensitive areas

Sir,

It has come to our attention from the news report in Herald on February 19, 2019 Page 2 with caption “Ecologically sensitive areas not to be considered for change of zones: TCP”. The report quotes new guidelines in a box item with caption as “Noteworthy Point” as follows: “Projects which are recommended by Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB) shall be given due consideration. The area to be considered under Section 16B shall have adequate access and shall as far as possible be in the vicinity of existing settlement / developed area and projects in isolation from the existing developed area shall be as far as possible discouraged except for public utility and tourism related projects”.

We wish to let you know the context of our protest against the guidelines as it constitutes encouragement for land conversion - even in low lying paddy fields, water bodies, biologically active mud flats, khazan lands, flood prone areas - into settlement zone. The Capao (Vanxim) Island proposed tourism plans consists of five star hotel and several luxury villas in Mandovi river and two proposed marina projects in Zuari river near Nauxim and Sancoale villages are located in such eco-sensitive areas destined to destroy Zuari river fisheries; all regrettably recommended by IPB in spite of public objections. These guidelines of TCP department to provide exception for zone conversion to settlement to facilitate tourism related projects are unfortunate, thoughtless, malicious and insensitive to ecologically sensitive Areas. We condemn these TCP guidelines.

You are therefore called upon to immediately intervene and withdraw exception granted to tourism related projects in ecologically sensitive areas in TCP guidelines under reference.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

         Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President - Goa Unit

Enclosed: Copy of Herald report published on 19^th February 2019 referred in the above letter.

Copy to:

1.      Chief Executive Officer, Goa Investment Promotion Board, Spaces, Panjim, Goa

2.      Minister of Industries, Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

3.      Secretary (Industries), Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

4.      Minister of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

5.      Secretary (Fisheries), Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

6.      Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Panjim, Goa.

7.      Secretary (Tourism), Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

8.      Minister of Tourism, Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

9.      Director of Tourism, Government of Goa,Panjim, Goa