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CONFIDENTIAL
GOA COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
C/o, Department of Science, Technology & Environment
Opp. Saligao Seminary, P.O. Saligao, Bardez, Goa - 403 511
PhonesL0832) 407186, 407187, 407189 Fax: (0832) 407186
Date: 29/05/2001
Ref. No. GCZMA/N/134/01/75
To
The Chief Town Planner
Town & Country Planning Department Panaji, Goa.
Sub: Proposed International Stadium at Santa Cruz.
Sir,
This has a reference to your letter No. TIS/3315/TCP/2000/243 dated
05/04/2001 on the above subject matter. It may be noted that in the absence
of a layout plan and other project details, it is not possible to make a
comprehensive analysis of the probable impacts of the proposed project.
However, due to the urgency indicated by you, we are enclosing herewith a
preliminary report of the possible impacts of a project of this magnitude
vis-à-vis the location in question. Consequently, from the environmental
angle, it appears that the proposed location may not be suitable for the
proposed stadium.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Dr. N.P.S. Varde)
Member Secretary.
Encl. As above.
CONFIDENTIAL
INSPECTION REPORT OF THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION SITE OF INTERNATIONAL STADIUM
AT SANTA CRUZ IN TISWADI TALUKA.
The site has an approximate area of 0.23 km2 covering Survey Nos. 531 to 542
and 557 to 575 of Santa Cruz village in Tiswadi Taluka. It is approachable
from Panaji & Santa Cruz by road and connected to the NH-17 by a narrow road
of 4 mts. The existing main road to the site is 6 mts. Wide and looped by a
narrow by-pass road of approximate width of 4 mts. Linking the main
Panaji-Cortalim NH-17.
The site is about 3 km from the Panaji bus stand and 0.5 km from the Santa
Cruz market.
Out of the above area, an area of 0.040 km2 covered under Survey Nos. 571,
535, 559, [541], [542], 573 and 567 is under salt pans, of which Survey No.
573 admeasuring an area of 0.0083 km2 is covered by active salt pans and an
area of 0.007 km2 is under pisciculture.
The area comprises of wetland with some mangroves and most of the area,
under Survey Nos. 542 & 541, of around 0.0102 km2, is water logged.
The mangrove ecosystem along with some coconut plantations is confined to
the area adjoining the bunds.
A number of coconut plantations are concentrated in pockets on the bunds in
the region. Adjacent to these bunds is a small structure having an approx,
area of 10 m2.
A cement grill-making unit with a small structure is situated in survey No.
574.
An area of approximate 0.010 km2 under Survey No. 575 is already reclaimed
and currently being used as a playground for the Santa Cruz villagers.
A perennial rivulet subjected to direct tidal influence and having an
average width of 60 mts., is running parallel to the Northern part of the
area. Thus, the provisions of the CRZ Notification of 1991 affect part of
the proposed stadium site.
A power line passes through part of the area.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF POSSIBLE IMPACT:
As the site comprises of wetlands, salt flats, mangroves, low-lying
agricultural land and a rivulet, the reclamation of this site for the
proposed stadium will have an adverse ecological impact on the ecosystem in
the region. The impacts would be as follows:
i. Damage to wetland flora and fauna.
ii. Obstruction to natural water flow and drainage.
iii. Effect on the livelihood of traditional salt farmers.
iv. Effect on the pisciculture activity.
v. Flooding of the adjoining low-lying area resulting in inundation of
surrounding agricultural land.
vi. Damage to the mangroves.
vii. Effect on migratory birds.
viii. Aesthetic degradation of the landscape.
ix. Induced reclamation and development of adjoining wetlands resulting
in drastic changes of the pristine ecosystem.
The proposed stadium site is located along the Southern bank of the tidal
rivulet having a width of 60 mts. And hence part of the area is affected by
the CRZ Notification of 1991. This locality is classified as CRZ-III and as
such, the belt of land located within 60 mts. Of the High Tide Line (HTL)
parallel to the Southern bank of the rivulet is classified as No.
Development Zone (NDZ). Thus, an approximate area of 0.048 km2 which is
under the NDZ and an area of 0.010 km2 is unde rthe existing stadium will
have to be deducted from the gross area (0.23 km2) leaving only an area
0.172 km2 for the development of the stadium.
The existing road connecting Panaji city to Santa Cruz village through the
'four pillars' is totally inadequate to cater to the anticipated volume of
traffic, around the stadium. There is little scope for widening of this as
the existing settlements on the Panaji side and as well as on the Santa Cruz
side of this road give very little scope for the same. Obviously, an
alternate approach road connecting the proposed stadium to Panaji city and
other areas will have to be constructed providing a linkage to the National
Highway NH-17.
Such a link road may involve the reclamation of an additional wetland area
of approx. 9000.00 m2 causing further adverse impact on the ecology of the
area. Unless, adequate number of culverts, drains and outlets are provided
and maintained, the entire development may lead to possible flooding of
Bondir village.
Prima-facie, the entire low-lying area will have to be reclaimed to a depth
of at least 0.7 mts. To bring the land to a reasonable level vis-à-vis the
existing road. This will involve a total volume of approximate 1,56,100
cubic metres and hence will require a huge quantity of earth. Consequently,
t here is a possibility that this back-filling material will be obtained
from the adjoining hills causing further environmental damage.
In the event of construction and commissioning of the stadium, the entire
adjoining low-lying area will succumb to development pressures thereby
affecting the entire low-lying landscape.
The project will involve a statutory change in zoning of the entire area
from cultivable to commercial.
The power line passing through the site will have to be redesigned.
End
COMMENTS:
It is to be noted that after being in possession of this above report from
the GCZMA, the Town & Country Planning Department headed by Mr. Dayanand
Narvekar in the previous Congress lead government has seen it fit to give
commercial conversion to survey nos. 541 & 542 for the construction of a
seven storeyed commercial building for Hara Constructions at four pillars.
The Bombay High Court at Goa has disposed the Suo-Moto Writ Petition 02/2006
against Hara Development filed by Floriano Lobo to the effect that the CRZ
has to pass an appropriate order within 2 months from the disposal of the
Writ Petition either in favour or against Hara Developers. With the above
report already given to the T&C Planning Dept. by GCZMA, we do not see how
GCZMA can rule in favour of Hara. Even then, we congratulate GCZMA for the
above in-depth factual report and wish it all the very best in the future in
preventing the mess-up of Goa that is taking place, especially in the CRZ
(coastal) belt.
goasuraj
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