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,
Maggie
Silveira
President -
Goa Unit
Enclosed: Copy of Herald report published on
19th 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
