Goa to go ahead with making draft CZMP despite protests

The Goa government will continue its exercise to prepare a draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) despite what state Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said was "politically motivated protest" by a section of people in the state. Cabral was booed by some people at a presentation of the CZMP in Margao on Sunday and had to leave the venue under police protection.

Mock funerals of the CZMP has also been held in some parts of the coastal state. "The protests are politically motivated. They want to de-notify the CZMP prepared by the Chennai-based National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM). When that plan has been rejected and not even notified, how can we de-notify it," Cabral asked?

"The plan is to go to the people for their suggestions to prepare a new draft CZMP. Despite this, protesters are claiming we are trying to have our way. This is illogical," he added. He said a few "self-proclaimed NGOs" were creating trouble but added the "consultation with the public for a draft CZMP will continue".

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo said the problem was not in the plan. "There is scepticism among the people as they don't trust the minister or the state government," he said.