PANJIM: Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on Thursday issued a show cause notice to the MV Royale Floatel casino, anchored near the Dr Salim Ali Bird sanctuary, for operating without Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance.
A senior official confirmed that the show cause notice has been issued under the Environment Protection Act, asking “Why you should not be asked to move out from the area, which is identified as CRZ IV”.
“The casino vessel which is currently anchored towards the Ribandar side of River Mandovi falls in the CRZ IV area, in which except for fishing, all other activities are regulated,” the official said.
The show cause notice was issued based on a complaint filed by activist Kashinath Shetye, who had alleged that the casino has been berthed without a licence from GCZMA.
GCZMA officials during an inspection earlier this month they noted that the vessel is operational without CRZ clearance and hence the authority decided to issue a show cause notice seeking their reply.
“We had our board meeting on Wednesday, wherein a detailed discussion was held on the casino. During the inspection it was observed that the vessel has rooms for people’s accommodation, restaurant and gaming zone. As per CRZ IV norms movement of vessel in the area is allowed provided it obtains CRZ clearance,” an official said.
Currently, the Forest Department and Captain of Ports (CoP) are at loggerheads over shifting of the casino vessel, which is anchored about 200 meters from the bird sanctuary. CoP has claimed that shifting the vessel to that location was a government decision and it has no role to play.
