The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Goa Coastal Zone Management Author ity (GCZMA) for failing to act against unauthorised jetties along the Mandovi river despite clear direc tions issued earlier, observ ing that the coastal author ity appeared to have taken no effective steps on the ground. The tribunal was hear ing a petition highlighting the continued existence of multiple illegal jetties in coastal regulation zones when it noted that GCZMA had not complied with its previous instructions to identify and initiate action against such structures. The bench expressed con cern over the lack of fol low-up, pointing out that unauthorised jetties con tinue to operate even after the matter had been exam ined in detail. During the hearing, it was brought to the tribu nal’s attention that sever al jetties — particularly along the Britona to Ecoxim stretch of the Mandovi — were functioning without mandatory approvals un der the Coastal Regulation Zone norms. The NGT ob served that such structures not only violate environ mental regulations but also pose risks to river ecology and navigation. The issue of unauthor ised jetties had earlier come under scrutiny before the tribunal, which had di rected the coastal authority to identify illegal structures and initiate time-bound action. The NGT had then made it clear that contin ued inaction would defeat the purpose of coastal reg ulation, a warning that ap pears to have gone unheed ed, prompting the present observations. The tribunal noted that in its earlier order, GCZMA had been asked to conduct inspections, determine the legality of the jetties and take action where vi olations were established. However, the latest sub missions indicated that no decisive action had fol lowed, leading the bench to question the authority’s seriousness in enforcing coastal protection laws. The NGT has now di rected GCZMA to place on record a clear status report detailing the num ber of jetties identified as unauthorised, the action taken against each, and the timeline for compliance. It has also sought clarity on whether demolition or removal proceedings have been initiated in cases where violations have already been established. Underlining the broader implications, the tribunal observed that repeated de lays in enforcement under mine the intent of coastal protection regulations, particularly in a state where rivers and estuaries are under increasing development pressure. It cautioned that failure to act decisively could invite stricter direc tions from the tribunal. The matter has been posted for further hearing, with the NGT indi cating that it expects con crete action rather than assurances, especially since similar concerns over unauthorised jetties had been raised before the tribunal in earlier proceedings as well.
