MARGAO: Following a complaint filed by Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) about the destruction of a sand dune on Sernabatim beach, the Salcete Deputy Collector on Friday issued a stop work order to a private company that runs a resort in Sernabatim, with regard to the construction of a retaining wall on the Western side of the property.
It may be recalled there was a public outcry over the damage to the sand dune.
As per the show cause notice issued by Dy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Uday Prabhu Dessai, it was pointed out that their office had received a complaint from Judith Almeida on behalf of CCCF, alleging that the resort’s construction of a retaining wall is underway within the CRZ area and is not in conformation with the guidelines of the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) – and that it was destroying the sand dunes on Sernabatim beach.
These allegations were investigated during an inspection and confirmed by the Colva Talathi.
The Dy Collector added that the activity conducted was illegal and without requisite permissions from various authorities and was thereby violating the norms laid down by the CRZ authorities.
The company officials were asked to immediately stop the work show cause as to why action should not be taken against them. They were directed to appear before the Dy Collector with all the relevant documents/permissions obtained from the various authorities for the said construction within 24 hours. The Salcete Mamlatdar and Colva Police Inspector were also directed to implement the orders while copies of the notice were also sent to the GCZMA Member Secretary and South Goa District Magistrate.
GCZMA inspects damaged dune on Benaulim beach, culprits to pay for restoration
MARGAO: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) conducted an inspection of the damaged sand dune at Benaulim beach on Friday.
The Benaulim Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) members and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas were also present for the inspection, which was carried out following the complaint filed by the BMC. The sand dune was destroyed during some work on an upcoming tourism-related project along the beach, and the persons responsible were identified. A family member of the owner of the said business had reportedly come forward and accepted their role in the destruction and had assured to pay for the restoration of the dune.
Speaking to media persons after the inspection, BMC Chairperson Charles D’Silva expressed confidence that the authorities will see that the sand dune is restored, after all the due processes are followed.
The Benaulim MLA however remarked that just apologising will not be enough, and that criminal action would also have to be initiated.
He also said the GCZMA should write to the Goa State Biodiversity Board and Rural Development Authority (RDA) to take the necessary measures for the restoration of the sand dune at the cost of the persons found responsible.
Viegas also questioned what happened to the proposal that GCZMA had sent to the State government in 2020 to have a sand dune replacement and rehabilitation plan. He added that such practices are seen in countries like Australia and New Zealand.
