MARGAO: In MARGAO: In yet another major embarrassment for the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Pune Bench has imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the Authority for its delay in complying with directions that were issued to it.This was in connection with a petition filed by Lopinho Xavier and others regarding certain structures constructed by a private party in the village of Quelossim in Cortalim. Dr Claude Alvares, Director of Goa Foundation (GF), had also filed a complaint in this matter regarding alleged illegal dumping of mud in the area.
Earlier this month, NGT fined GCZMA Rs 50,000 for an 8-month delay in filing a reply. Another potential fine was averted as NGT granted GCZMA a final chance to comply with directives in a separate case.
In this present matter, Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Judicial Member Dr Vijay Kulkarni, Expert Member, who presided over the hearing, referred to its previous order dated May 16, 2023, wherein directions were issued to constitute a Joint Committee involving members of GCZMA and the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSSB) to assess the environmental impact of activities in the concerned area. The committee was directed to provide an update on the current status and the extent of damage caused.
The Bench expressed its displeasure when the GCZMA counsel submitted that ‘he has no idea whether the compliance (as per that order) has been done by GCZMA or not.’ The bench added it was very strange that the counsel had no instructions regarding the compliance. The counsel also filed an affidavit stating that the new GCZMA that the Member Secretary (MS) had taken charge on January 2, 2024, and an apology was issued for the absence on previous dates.
Furthermore, despite the GCZMA’s decision that there was no merit in the complainant’s submissions and GCZMA’s subsequent claim that the issue has become infructuous, the NGT bench found discrepancies and observed that the previous decision of GCZMA did not address the allegations adequately.
“But we find that it is not the case because in our order dated May 16, 2023, we have recorded that the allegation made against respondent was that it indulged in illegal activities in Quelossim, where they had proposed to set up “Eco Environment Recreational Floating Platform for Park/Mini India’, with five-star category resort, House Boat, Floating Cottages, and Water Sports activity.’ A large part of mangrove areas abutting estuarine areas has been indiscriminately filled with mud and on location and several other activities have been done by them,” said the Bench.
“Regarding which we had constituted a Joint Committee to be headed by GCZMA, which order has been flouted by not complying with it without indicating any justifiable reason therefore as the Committee has not been constituted nor any reply has been filed from the side of GCZMA. There is not a whisper for not filing the reply by GCZMA,” the bench added.
NGT then granted GCZMA a final opportunity to file a detailed reply within two weeks, accompanied by a payment of Rs 20,000 as costs.
The matter is scheduled for further consideration on March 18, 2024.
