A controversy has erupted at Sernabatim Beach over alleged Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations linked to the construction of a road through protected sand dunes.
Social worker Warren Alemao and activist Judith Almeida have raised concerns, accusing the Colva Village Panchayat of damaging sand dunes within a CRZ-protected area, specifically in survey numbers 14/1 and 13/2.
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However, Sarpanch Teressa Silva and Deputy Sarpanch Dalan Rodrigues have denied any wrongdoing, stating that the work involves only the repair of an existing road. They claimed the project was approved by the Gram Sabha and has received all necessary permissions, including CRZ clearance, dismissing the allegations as “false and misleading.”
The panchayat further stated that CRZ authorities had inspected the site and subsequently granted approval. Contradicting this, Almeida asserted that no such inspection was completed, claiming it was aborted. She added that a formal complaint has been submitted to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and questioned whether the land had been legally acquired.
Alemao clarified that he is not opposed to the road itself but strongly objected to what he described as illegal destruction of sand dunes. While acknowledging that the GCZMA had issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for road repairs, he questioned how permission was granted in a CRZ-I zone, where construction and land alteration are typically prohibited. He alleged possible corruption in the approval process.
He further claimed that the road alignment cuts through paddy fields and announced plans to file a case against the panchayat, its secretary, the BDO technical team, and CRZ authorities for permitting the work. Alemao also alleged involvement of a local MLA in the matter.
The issue has sparked debate over environmental protection and regulatory compliance, with calls for a thorough investigation into the alleged violations.
