Panaji (Goa) State Government has proposed almost Rs 1255 crores projects towards conservation of coast and marine life, while ensuring sustainable development without environmental degradation.

The projects are proposed under the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) sponsored Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

Chennai based National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has drafted the proposals for Goa, wherein MOEF&CC will be spending Rs 1192.61cr while the State share would be 62.76cr over five years, post approval from the Centre.

Biodiversity conservation including mangroves in Khazan land, Pollution and erosion control, Livelihood opportunities for fishermen, Eco-tourism & Capacity Building on ICZM, are the focus areas of the 16 projects that are proposed.

Government will be spending Rs 18.72cr for preparation of Coastal Zone Management plan (CZMP) and Rs 103.43 cr on shoreline management (anti sea erosion measures for beaches of North and South Goa).

Rs 974.95cr projects are proposed under conservation and pollution management, which include sewerage scheme for Candolim-Calangute, conservation and management of marine turtle, establishing coastal sand dune park, conservation of marine bio-diversity.

Projects worth Rs 104.84cr are planned for tourism, resource and livelihood management, while another Rs 27.38 crores are proposed for institutional arrangement and awareness.