PANJIM: An architect has sought immediate action into the alleged encroachment of St Inez creek at Tonca.
In an email to the North District administration, woman complainant Tallulah D’Silva has alleged rampant land filling, building of concrete wall and encroachment of the St Inez Creek along the Sewage Treatment Plant, Tonca.
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“The original road/access of this land along the creek was 3 mts… In the ODP of Panjim 2021 this land is shown with land use C1/C1 special indicating commercial land use. The road access also shows the proposed road along the creek as 10 mts. This access has been built by encroaching the creek thereby violating the CRZ regulations, environmental laws and biodiversity act,” she stated, a copy of which was shared with Herald.
She further raised apprehensions that reducing creek width will cause irreparable damage to the ecology and the water body. Impede its flow and is a future threat to all the people residing along the creek that will result in flooding.
“There were otters in the creek along the waters of the same encroachment and this is evidence of the fact that this unique species still thrives and this area is a hot spot for biodiversity that needs to be preserved. The concreting of the retaining wall in the creek has been done by encroaching into the width of the creek as well as physically drying it up by either pumping the water of the creek or blocking its flow further along its length. This must be immediately addressed and stern action taken whereby the mud/rubble and the concrete wall removed and the original edge of the creek restored,” she said.
Herald tried contacting the concerned authorities regarding the complaint and action, if any but there was no response.
