PANJIM: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has decided to constitute ‘District Level Coastal Monitoring Committees’ in North and South Goa for speedy disposal of over 470 cases of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) violations, pending for the last three years. The committees will chaired by the respective district collector.
As per government records, around 480 cases of CRZ violations have been reported since April 2012. However, only three are being acted on, while the rest either await replies on show cause notices or are pending before the inquiry committee under GCZMA.
At a recently-held GCZMA meeting, it was resolved to constitute district-level committees for the speedy disposal of pending CRZ cases and for initiating action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
GCZMA also directed the Director of Panchayats to ensure that panchayats of coastal villages disposed of complaints immediately and informed the authority; the district collectors were asked to direct the deputy collectors to submit a compliance report on CRZ violations in a time-bound manner.
“The decision was taken after GCZMA noted various complaints were forwarded to the deputy collector, local bodies and other authorities, but the same were not being acted upon by the concerned authorities. Hence, there is increase in the pending complaints,” read the minutes of the GCZMA meeting.
In many cases, it was also observed that the complainant did not cooperate, delaying the inquiry and disposal of cases.
The most violations are reported in Bardez – 237, followed by Pernem – 86, Salcete – 58, Tiswadi – 43, Canacona – 28 and Mormugao – 21. The violations include illegal construction of residential houses, commercial projects (hotels, shacks, restaurants) additional roof or rooms to the existing structures, retaining walls, destruction of mangroves, and erection of palm trees.
Out of the 480 cases, only 136 have been issued show cause notices. 335 cases are pending before the inquiry committee, while six cases are pending before the National Green Tribunal, High Court and district court.
