MARGAO: In a decisive move to strengthen enforcement of coastal protection laws, the Office of the Collector, South Goa, has directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to immediate-ly review and reinforce demoli-tion orders against unauthorised structures in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas.
Deputy Collector (Revenue) Rohan Loliyekar issued the ur-gent communication, with par-ticular focus on long-pending violations along the Colva beach belt. The letter, marked “Most Urgent,” cites growing public concern over inaction despite
clear statutory and judicial man-dates. It references a report in O Heraldo (January 8, 2025) ti-tled “Incomplete directions stall Colva demolitions,” quoting the Colva Consumer and Civic Forum’s serious dissatisfaction with the lack of effective enforcement. According to Loliyekar, several demolition orders “do not clearly or unequivocally identify the unauthorised struc-tures proposed for demolition.” The absence of key par-ticulars such as survey numbers, site plans, measurements, cadastral details, maps, photographs, and ground-level de-marcation has caused confusion during execution, result-ing in prolonged delays and continued operation of com-mercial establishments despite active demolition decrees.
The Deputy Collector warned that vague and incomplete directions have weakened enforcement agencies, allow-ing both the continuation of existing CRZ violations and the emergence of new unauthorised construction. He also flagged “the use of heavy machinery in these zones” despite court-mandated instructions to maintain the status quo.
Emphasising the importance of enforceable orders, Loli-yekar noted that ambiguous directives “undermine the very intent of environmental regulation,” eroding public confidence, weakening deterrence, and compromising protections for fragile coastal ecosystems.
In response, the GCZMA has been instructed to imme-diately review all pending and existing demolition orders in CRZ areas of South Goa and Kushavati District. Author-ities must issue clear, unambiguous orders supported by complete survey details, CTS particulars, precise locations, violation extent, and comprehensive site documentation. Corrigenda or revised orders must be issued wherever previous directives are found deficient.
The directions also include explicit instructions for the immediate cessation of all commercial and construction activity pending demolition and stress close coordination with the district administration, demolition squads, Public Works Department, and electricity authorities to ensure lawful, time-bound execution.
Highlighting the broader stakes, Loliyekar cautioned that continued delays or ambiguity could cause irreversi-ble ecological damage and invite adverse judicial and stat-utory scrutiny
