Panaji, Feb 15 (TOI): Claiming that the latest order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) will throw them out of business, 400 private shack owners are set to seek legal recourse. Dharmesh Saglani, president of the private shack owners association, said they have no option, but to challenge the NGT's order in the high court besides filing a review petition before the green tribunal.

The NGT's direction to Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) to revoke permissions issued to 335 private shacks within a week's time would kill their business, said Saglani.

The NGT, in its order, has flayed GCZMA for its alleged lackadaisical attitude towards private beach shacks and directed it to conduct a survey about the carrying capacity of different beaches in the state, for providing such shacks and other temporary structures, in an environmentally-sustainable manner to protect the coastal environment.

Srinet Kotwale, member secretary, GCZMA, however, said they are studying the order. A source said NGT's order has put them into an odd position. The beach shacks are erected right on the beaches and issued permissions as per the strength of each beach stretch. With regards to private shacks, however, he said they are not located on beaches, which is public property but in private areas. He said this position was presented before NGT during arguments. But this was not taken into account while passing the order.
Saglani told TOI that private shacks were granted permissions somewhere in December-January much after the season had started. While the delay in issuance of permissions have already robbed them of some business, the NGT's order would deal a further blow.