SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
Team Herald
CANDOLIM: The Candolim Panchayat body inspected the alleged illegal construction within the Shambhala resort in Candolim, in the No Development Zone, on Monday. The authorities have claimed that the structure was built on sand dunes, which perform an important role in controlling disasters such as tsunamis, thus violating the Coastal Regulation Zone rules.
Earlier the Shambala resort had a different name. The locals had complained about the resort to Calangute Citizens Forum. Following the complaint, the authorities proceeded to demolish the swimming pool and a structure that were built illegally. Finally, the whole resort was shut down for a year. This time, the locals observed that the resort was rebuilt with a new name. The new resort owner also built his structure on the sand dunes and the natural bushes that grow here were removed, thus destroying the coastal ecology.
According to the resort owner, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had given them permission to build the structure. The locals have filed a court case and demand to ask them how GCZMA can grant permission to build a structure in the No Development Zone. They also have filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and appealed that such activities need to be stopped.
The locals have urged the tourism department to conduct an inspection and take action against the illegal encroachment happening at Candolim.
