MAPUSA
In a significant move aimed at strengthening ecological conservation in the state, the government has announced steps to streamline the protection and management of khazan lands and wetlands as part of the Environment Department’s budget proposals.
Presenting the budget in the Goa Legislative Assembly, the government revealed that NITI Aayog has granted in-principle approval to provide funds for the conservation of khazan lands in the state. Khazan lands, which are traditional reclaimed coastal ecosystems, play a crucial role in agriculture, fisheries and flood regulation in Goa.
To ensure better regulation and protection of these ecologically sensitive areas, the government has decided to bring the entire subject of khazan land conservation and regulation under the agriculture department.
The khazan board, constituted for this purpose, will now function under the agriculture department, making it the single authority responsible for all khazan-related matters in the State.
The State has also proposed dedicated funding for wetland conservation. A provision of Rs 1.40 crore has been made for the integrated management, protection, restoration, rejuvenation and conservation of notified wetlands across Goa.
In addition, Rs 1 crore has been earmarked for the “Shram Shakti Se Jal Samruddhi” scheme, under which Lake Management Committees will be tasked with managing and maintaining notified wetlands and supporting surrounding wetland ecosystems.
The government has earmarked Rs 16 crore for the environment department in the State budget. The government stated that the Goa State Biodiversity Board will implement schemes to protect traditional and environmentally sustainable practices such as “Matagar” and other community-based eco-friendly initiatives, for which Rs 1 crore has been allocated.
The government also informed that the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011 has already been notified, while the process of finalising the CZMP 2019 is currently underway.
The government has further announced “Goa’s Umbrella Programme for Climate and Disaster Resilient Greener Goa,” aimed at strengthening ecosystem resilience and accelerating low-carbon initiatives.
The programme proposes a total investment of Rs 1,650 crore through a 70:30 funding convergence between the Government of India and the Government of Goa.
The initiative is planned to be implemented over two years and has already received in-principle approval from the Project Steering Committee of the Economic Affairs Department. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be set up to ensure timely implementation.
Additionally, the government proposes to establish a State Carbon Nodal Cell under the environment department to develop a carbon monetisation mechanism aimed at generating environmental investments and financial savings for the State.
