The littoral states of India are blessed with a smart instrument that governs human interventions in the coastal zone.
25 Oct, 2016, 04:46AM IST
The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2011 notification has several special provisions for the state of Goa. A notable feature is that setting of makeshift shacks is permitted along the beaches. The prevailing guidelines [Regulation / Para 8 V 3 (iii)] allow “purely temporary and seasonal structures customarily put up between the months of September to May”. The allotment of shacks was governed by the Goa Beach Shack Policy 2013-2016. After a detailed field survey, the issue was deliberated during the 90th meeting of GCZMA on September 7, 2013. The following comments were recorded:
(A) The shack policy displayed an entirely commercial outlook; environmental aspects have been overlooked; a brief reference is made to sand dunes/vegetation only at point 37. (B) The document needs to explain the coastal ecosystems present, their functions and uses; the essence of CRZ 2011 notification needs to be highlighted; commercial interests cannot over rule ecological principles. (C) The primary concern is to imperatively stress on the beach - dune ecosystem as an integral unit of the sea front of Goa; shacks should not and cannot interfere with, damage dunes, uproot vegetation or trample it. (D) Shacks are to be located exclusively on dry beach ahead of the dune line; however, an adequate setback of at least 3 metres between the dune vegetation line and the back wall of the shack was strongly recommended for the entire sandy coast of Goa; there cannot be a compromise on the legitimacy of beach-dune system. (E) In places where the dune line is obscured or absent (due to a damaged dune for example), a line may be drawn between two successive dunes where vegetation is seen, and the setback be marked accordingly. (F) Human activity cannot be allowed behind shacks; however, the portable toilet may be fixed in this setback strip, provided sand dunes and associated vegetation is left intact. (G) Access to the beach and/or shacks should be through designated pathways; movement through sand dunes fields should be strictly prohibited; similarly, vehicles on the beach should be banned for the sake of floral and faunal diversity on the beach - dune complexes. (H) Special care is needed at the turtle sites as these areas are designated as nesting areas; human activity at these specific sites is to be banned.
It was observed that the Baga-Candolim strip (6 km, 180 shacks) would have 30 shacks for every kilometre. As such, this beach stretch will have a continuous line of closely spaced (20 m) beach shacks. In comparison, the linear beach of Velsao-Mobor (26 km, 98 shacks) shows only 4 shacks for every kilometre. Therefore, the Baga-Candolim coast presents the most congested scenario as far as the distribution of beach shacks is concerned.
The area of beach shacks and beach beds merit a comment. Each shack of 18m x 8m equals 144 m2 of beach space. In addition, each shack will have 20 beach beds. Considering 4 rows of 5 beds with 1 m spacing, an additional 12 m are needed in front of each shack. These beds will need an additional beach space of at least 96 m2. Each shack would need 144 m2 + 96 m2 = 242 m2 of beach space. Therefore, it was proposed that: (a) the size of shacks should be reduced to 15/12/10m x 8m, and (b) beach beds may be done away with.
In 2014, the coastal scenario got worse. The GCZMA received applications for shacks, cottages and huts in private properties. Following site inspections, the following report was submitted by this author and recorded in 110th GCZMA meeting on November 26, 2014.
(1) All the sites inspected are located on ecologically sensitive sand dune fields and therefore fall under the category CRZ I.(2) Also, all the sites which were inspected and where shacks/huts/cottages are sought to be erected also fall within the 200 metre mandatory NDZ; no development of any kind is permissible in the NDZ. (3) Based on the Goa Beach Shack Policy 2013-2016, shacks should be built with locally available material such as bamboo or rustic wooden poles; on the contrary, these structures are built with permanent material, and even steel. (4) Most of the structures were being erected, some were already built, and many were functioning. (5) Several such wooden shacks have concrete platforms with 2/3 rooms with kitchen, attached toilets and bathrooms; these additions are not permitted under the shack policy 2013. (6) Prohibited activities under Para 3 of CRZ 2011 include: part (iv) land reclamation, bunding or disturbing the natural course of seawater, part (vi) discharge of untreated waste and effluents from industries, cities or towns and other human settlements, part (ix) reclamation for commercial purposes such as shopping and housing complexes, hotels and entertainment activities. (7) Regulation/Para 3, part (xiii) also explicitly states that “dressing or altering the sand dunes, hills, natural features including landscape changes for beautification, recreation and other such purpose” is prohibited.(8) Regulation/Para 8 for norms for regulation of activities permissible under this notification, para (i) further stresses “no new construction shall be permitted in CRZ-I”. Under CRZ III, A, stipulates that “area up to 200 metres from HTL on the landward side in case of seafront and 100 metres along tidal influenced water bodies or width of the creek whichever is less is to be earmarked as “No Development Zone (NDZ)”.
In view of the above, all the private cottages/huts/shacks lack scientific validity, and do not stand scrutiny as far as the provisions of the CRZ 2011 Notification is concerned.
(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former scientist, NIO, Goa)
http://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/Opinions/Beach-shacks-private-huts-imbroglio-a-scientific-appraisal-/107732.html
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