KAMAT GOVT EAGER TO SET UP HOTEL PROJECTS IN CRZ-III

PANJIM: The state government has prepared an atlas of contiguous open plots measuring 4,000 sq m and above for the purpose of setting up of hotel projects in the CRZ-III corridor of Goa.  This development follows a directive by the high court of Bombay at Goa to the state government, to identify open plots available in the CRZ-III zone for the construction of hotels. The government was also asked to frame an appropriate policy or regulation for the utilization of these plots by hotels.

The directive had come in connection with a writ petition filed by an NGO, Goa Foundation, against the Candolim panchayat regarding indiscriminate approvals to projects without a proper policy in the context of the stipulated or designated area in the CRZ zone.

The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the department of science, technology and environment (DSTE) had identified and delineated open vacant plots above an area of 4,000 sq m in the CRZ-III zone in coordination with a Hyderabad-based agency, Remote Sensing Instruments (RSI).

The agency interpreted rectified satellite data, on line to identify and delineate contiguous open plots measuring 4,000 sq m and above in the CRZ-III areas of Goa.  "By overlaying the geo-referenced revenue maps, the locations of each of these open plots in terms of survey numbers and sub-division numbers have been tabulated and broad land use patterns in these plots have also been tabulated," a source said.

The atlas of the open plots in CRZ-III coastal and estuarine villages has been made on a 1:5000 scale. "The details of identification number (ID No.) of each plot, its locations in terms of survey of sub-division number and broad land use/land cover pattern in these open plots has also been prepared," sources said.

The plots appear to be located in forests, cultivated areas and sand dunes, but these can be separated by overlaying the forest department's map of reserved forests.  The present status of these plots will have to be ascertained. These features can be identified during site inspection separately, too.