National centre for sustainable coastal management (NCSCM), Chennai has demarcated the high tide line (HTL) for Goa and other coastal states, paving the way for preparation of coastal zone management plans (CZMP). The issue of HTL and preparation of CZMPs figured at the 31st meeting of national coastal zone management authority (NCZMA) held on May 24, 2016. “Goa and other states are verifying HTL drawn up by NCSCM, as it forms the basis for preparing coastal zone management plans,” an official said. At the 30th meeting of NCZMA on February 29, coastal states and union territories were directed to expedite the process of finalizing CZMPs and submit HTL demarcation after verification by March 31, 2016 and that for mapping of ecologically sensitive areas (ESA)/coastal regulation zone (CRZ) IA by May 31. The deadline for readying CZMPs was later revised to September 30, 2016. Now, the validity of CZMPs already approved under the CRZ Notification, 1991, has been extended up to January 31, 2017 in an amendment dated March 22, 2016. Goa and some other states have put up requests for rechecking of turtle nesting areas, mudflats, reef areas, salt marshes and other eco-sensitive areas. Four beaches, Mandrem and Morjim in Pernem and Agonda and Galgibaga in Canacona have been designated as turtle nesting sites as per the CRZ notification 2011. After taking note of the above status provided by the NCSCM, Chennai, the authority requested State/UT CZMAs to inform about the time lines for the preparation of CRZ maps.
2016 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.