Team Herald
MAPUSA: The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) on Friday demanded that the authorities take action against the local panchayat and the contractor for “destroying” the Baga beach.
Addressing the press at a hotel in Panjim, the CCF also demanded restoration of beach area to its original status.
Calangute’s Khobravaddo residents brought to the notice of CCF that a mud road has been constructed under the supervision of Sarpanch Shawn Martin on the beach near high tide line.
When contacted, sarpanch reportedly told the residents that he was not constructing any road but trying to remove the garbage debris from the beach.
“We visited the site to check the ground reality and found that, there was massive destruction of beach vegetation and golden white sand dunes. The area was being converted into a 4 meter wide mud road with rubbles. We found that there was blatant violation of CRZ norms and Rules of the Environment Protection Act 1986,” CCF President Premanand Divkar said.
On February 19, they filed a complaint with the local panchayat, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), as well with other concerned authority against the said illegal development on the beach, requesting them to initiate immediate action.
“On February 22, GCZMA official Dr Prabhakar Shirodkar and Devendra Gaonkar inspected the site and their report clearly states the violation of CRZ. Thus, mala fide intention of the local panchayat is clearly seen through their action where we find it is misuse of the power of the office,” Divkar said.
On February 25, a public meeting was organsied on the site with regards to the illegal construction of the road at Titto’s lane.
At the public meeting a resolution was passed by the people that the local panchayat has violated all the norms of CRZ and the rules of the Environment Protection Act 1986. Hence the authority should act swiftly and remove the illegal road within eight days and restore the beach area to its original status. Failing to react to the people’s demand of restoration of the beach within the given time period, it is decided by the people to take appropriate action and restore the beach to its original status.
