In what could have far-reaching implications on tourism activities on beach coasts reserved for turtle nesting/conservation sites in the State, NGT has directed GCZMA to dismantle illegal shacks at Galgibaga beach.
The NGT had issued an order on a petition filed by the Poinguinkarancho Ekvott complaining about tourism activities, including shacks, on Galgibaga beach in contravention of the CRZ Notification 2011.
“The CRZ Notification 2011 categorically shows that for State of Goa, certain villages are identified as turtle nesting site where any activity for construction/development is prohibited. It is essential to apply the ‘precautionary principle’ as envisaged under Section 20 of the NGT Act, 2010,” noted the order issued by Justice V R Kingaonkar, judicial member and Dr Ajay A Deshpande, expert member of the NGT, Western Zone Bench at Pune.
Appearing on behalf of some respondents, the counsel submitted that a short date “may be given to complete the exercise of visit/inspection and if any such development activity is found then GCZMA will take appropriate action for dismantling of shacks if so found to be illegal within area of CRZ Notification, 2011.”
The NGT directed the GCZMA to “carry out inspection of the area within one week and in any case shall report about such visit on December 22, 2014 along with action taken after such visit and number of shacks found at the site.”
Reacting to the NGT order directing GCZMA to dismantle illegal shacks at Galgibaga beach coast, the petitioners, Poinguinkarancho Ekvott has claimed that officials are yet to visit the site within the period stipulated by the NGT.
“The petition was filed after various authorities had failed to stop the rampant tourism activities on the turtle nesting site at Galgibaga beach. The respondents include the State government through its chief secretary, the GCZMA, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Bio-Diversity Board, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife & Eco -Tourism, Director of Tourism and Poinguinim panchayat, besides around 18 private parties who operate tourism activities on Galgibaga beach,” said Kishore Poinguinkar of Poinguinkarancho Ekvott.
“None of the government authorities, including GCZMA, had visited Galgibaga beach coast till Friday, to carry inspection of the area within one week as directed by NGT,” said Poinguinkar.
“Almost all 18 respondents, who have been accused of illegally erecting tourism shacks, huts on Galgibaga beach, have been granted NOCs/permits by local panchayat body arbitrarily, when it is known fact that the panchayat cannot grant permissions in contravention with CRZ-Notification 2011, which also violates the State government’s Beach Shack Policy,” Poinguinkar added.
