Team Herald
PANJIM: A group of activists and villagers have moved the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging the Nauxim Marina project at Nauxim Bay in Tiswadi taluka.
The division bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice Bharati Dangre has issued notice to the government and the authorities on the Public Interest Litigation. The notices are returnable on January 25, 2021.
Petitioners Manoj Parab and Viresh Borkar of Revolutionary Goans and other villagers have stated in their petition that the project is opposed unanimously by the villagers since long as their livelihood is in danger.
The PIL also questions the jurisdiction of Mormugao Port Trust to grant lease of the foreshore area to Kargwal as well as matter related to the doctrine of public trust. It highlights the impending destruction of the mudflats of housing, the protected window-pane oysters and also sets out that the marina will pose security threat to Goa specially the naval armament depot and the Raj Bhavan at Dona Paula.
“Considering the security threat to our nation witnessed with the unfortunate attack from the sea on November 26, 2008 in Mumbai, with the heightened threat which the country is facing presently as also the terrorist activities, the country will face grave danger and can potentially destabilise the government,” reads an extract of the PIL. As an interim measure, the petitioners have sought that no activity be permitted around the ecologically sensitive areas.
