Panaji:Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), after inspection, has found evidence of illegal sand mining at Chorao and Vanxim island and its surrounding areas. Locals of Devguim wado and Chamerem wado had complained of illegal sand extraction from the Mandovi river near Chorao and Vanxim islands. They alleged that mangroves have been destroyed and a mud road has been built.
Accordingly, the GCZMA carried out an inspection of the area and found that mud filling has been done to build a mud road leading to the river. The GCZMA observed that the property lies within the no-development zone of the river with mangroves, which is classified as a CRZ-III area.
The area was found to have a thick mangrove cover and was used for storing sand. The inspection team found deposits of sand in a canoe parked in the area. In other survey numbers too, kaccha roads were built in mangrove and khazan areas, which are classified as no-development zones as per the CRZ 2011 notification.
The GCZMA has issued show-cause notices to those involved in the illegal activities and has begun hearings of the matter.
In the assembly, chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the state govt will carry out a study of the damage to khazan lands in Goa and the measures needed to revive them.
The state is looking at engaging ICAR—Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute for the study, with a timeline of two months to submit the report.
Based on the findings, repair work of bandhs will be taken up to revive khazan lands within six months, CM had assured the House.
He said that govt is also thinking of bringing khazan lands under the purview of a single department, ideally the agriculture department.
