Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, May 5: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) ordered the removal of 171 transitory constructions and encroachments in no-development zones (NDZ) and places popular for its turtle-nesting. Mandrem, Galgibaga, Morjim, and Agonda stretches are popular for turtle-nesting in Goa. The district collectors have been asked for immediate action and implementation of orders, said a senior GCZMA official.

As per TOI report, GCZMA member secretary Ravi Jha stated in the minutes of the meeting, “The authority resolved to issue directions to demolish all the resorts or establishments which are operating without GCZMA approval as per National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s November 2, 2017 order. The authority decided to impose a fine of Rs 1 lakh for violations as per NGT’s November 2, 2017 order.”

Erlier this year, the NGT ordered GCZMA to deposit an environment compensation of Rs 1 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board within a week for ‘gross non-compliance’ of its November 2017 directions.

“They will inform the tribunal that they have already implemented its directives. The tribunal had directed the coastal regulator to take action against all temporary structures erected in the no-development zones of Morjim, Mandrem, Galgibaga and Agonda which includes turtle nesting sites. The NGT passed the order after observing that the report placed by GCZMA before it was ‘severely wanting in compliance of the directions’ in November 2017,”said a senior official in GCZMA.

The tribunal’s principal bench issued and order in May 1 and it states, “It is needless to reiterate that the order was passed far back on November 2, 2017, which was required to be complied with expeditiously considering the serious environmental issues rose in the application.”