MARGAO: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has issued an order mandating the demolition of an illegal retaining wall constructed by resort in Sernabatim, Salcete. This directive follows a series of complaints and a prolonged legal tussle initiated by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF), regarding violations of coastal regulation norms.
The initial complaints, lodged on September 12 and 27, 2022, accused the resort of dumping black rocks alongside an unauthorised concrete wall in Sernabatim. The GCZMA, upon reviewing the complaints and accompanying photographic and video evidence, noted ‘blatant and serious’ violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 2011.
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On October 6, 2022, the GCZMA issued a show-cause-cum-stop-work order. However, the initial hearing was adjourned due to the absence of
the GCZMA chairman. Subsequent meetings were postponed, and the committee was eventually dissolved, delaying the resolution process.
Thereafter, the resort sought permission to restore and repair the existing retaining wall, as directed by the GCZMA in a March 16, 2021 order. The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) conducted inspections and devised an action plan for the wall’s construction. Despite this, allegations persisted that the company failed to comply with demolition orders, did not pay the imposed fines and was constructing a concrete wall.
During a GCZMA meeting on August 16, 2023, the company was directed to deposit a Rs 10 lakh fine and proceed with the restoration plan under GSBB supervision. Follow-up meetings on August 24 and 29 confirmed the fine payment and submission of the restoration plan, yet disputes continued regarding the legality of the construction activities.
By September 28, 2023, the GCZMA had directed the resort to continue restoration work, monitored by the GSBB. However, inspections revealed ongoing unauthorised construction activities, prompting further scrutiny.
On February 29, 2024, the GCZMA’s 380th meeting revealed that the resort had erected the retaining wall without appropriate permissions. The measures employed were hard in nature, contrary to the recommended soft measures for coastal erosion control, exacerbating environmental concerns.
Exercising its authority under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, the GCZMA ordered the demolition of the retaining wall within one month. Failure to comply will result in enforcement by the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Salcete, with a compliance report due within three days after the deadline.
