TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on Thursday inspected three small hotel sites that allegedly come within the CRZ area and which were not built according to the GCZMA’s rules. The Cavelossim Villagers Forum (CVF), which has been leading the agitation against illegal constructions in the area, sought the National Green Tribunal’s help in stopping the alleged violations. It claimed that the panchayat was also involved in the illegalities.
The inspection revealed the lethargy of the panchayat in keeping a check on the illegal constructions in the village’s CRZ areas. Concrete and bamboo structures, soak-pits, and permanently-stationed caravans were found at the three sites. The sand dunes were also completely destroyed.
CVF member Iris Passanta accused the GCZMA of inspecting and declining permissions to shacks and hotels first while later granting them NOCs.
Surprisingly, duplex wood bungalows were being built while permission for only small bamboo huts at a property of the Champions Club was given. The timing of construction was also fishy as the shacks had to be removed by May 31.
The GCZMA observed that the establishments were within 150 meters from the tide line.
It said that their report would satisfy and boost the efforts of the CVF.
