Authorities ordered to inspect shacks on Palolem beach

PANJIM, OCT 4
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to carry out inspection on Palolem beach pertaining to the construction of certain shacks constructed within the No Development Zone (NDZ).
The GCZMA is directed to file its report by November 15, 2010 and also asked them not grant any permission for shacks until next hearing.
The Division Bench of the High Court of Bombay at Goa, comprising of Justice D G Karnik and Justice F M Reis has passed directions in a writ petition filed by a shack owner, Vikas Bhagat.
The grievance of the petitioners was that certain beach shacks had been constructed which have led to the blockage of access to the Palolem beach, and the same should not be allowed to continue.
Advocate Mahesh Sonak, representing the petitioner, stated that the shacks had been built up right in the NDZ area, and as such could not be allowed to exist in the said area. In support of this contention, some photographs were also produced before the Bench, to indicate the existence of the shacks within the NDZ.
In consideration of the arguments furthered, the High Court has now directed the GCZMA to carry out the inspection of the beach by the end of October, 2010 for ascertaining the exact number of these shacks being constructed in the No Development Zone and file a report before the court by November 15.
It may be recalled that by order of September 6, 2010 the High Court had directed the GCZMA not to grant permissions for new shacks along Palolem beach.
The Court ordered the continuance of this order till the next date of hearing. The Court has also pointed out that constant monitoring of the Beach area is a priority so that there should not exist any further constructions not permissible at law.
The intervention application filed by the Goa Shack Owners Association was also heard today, however the High Court has now directed them to file a separate petition. The petition will be heared on November 15.