SURAJ NANDREKAR
suraj@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: While Goan traditional fisherfolk are struggling to save their residential structures from demolition under CRZ rules, there are others whose structures, despite being proved illegal, are being protected by government agencies that ordered demolition.
This is a bizarre case of environment degradation by construction of hotels in small residential houses and illegally extending them to vast structures and changing the land use to commercial in a No Development Zone of CRZ.
Five complaints were filed with GCZMA, Dy Collector and GSPCB of CRZ violations done by one Sheila Doddy of building hotels in NDZ of CRZ at Bardez and purchasing houses of fishermen and others and converting them into hotels without GCZMA permission.
The hotels in question are Casa Vagator Spa and Restaurant and Hotel, Casa Colvale Boutique Hotel, Casa Britona Boutique Hotel and Casa Baga Boutique hotel. After no response from the authorities, the petitioners approached NGT which directed GCZMA to dispose the application within five weeks.
GCZMA after appointing an inquiry committee found the structures to be illegal and ordered demolitions on 28/02/2017.
Following are the GCZMA decisions on the complaint of illegalities on 28/02/2017 in its 142nd meeting which was attended by Principal Secretary (Environment) – Chairman – GCZMA; Director Tourism, Director Fisheries; Chief Engineer – WRD, Dr Prabhakar Shirodkar (EM – GCZMA), Suhas Godse (EM – GCZMA), Shrirang Jambhale(EM – GCZMA), Dr Nandkumar Sawant (EM – GCZMA) and Member Secretary GCZMA.
Casa Colvale
The authority noted that the DSLR plan attached to the report dated 11/02/16 prepared by Inquiry Committee of the GCZMA clearly shows extension to the existing structures as well as additional/new structures constructed along with a swimming pool.
GCZMA decided to order demolition with a direction to Dhody to demolish the extensions carried out to the existing structures as well as additional or new structures along with the swimming pool as depicted in DSLR Plan.
The authority further directed Dhody to bring/restore the use of the existing structure to its original use i.e. residential use.
Casa Vagator
The authority noted that the structure is being used for commercial purpose. The authority decided to order demolition with a direction to Dhody to demolish:
A) Seven structures and two sheds in the property
B) Remove swimming pool
The authority also decided to direct Dhody to bring/restore the use of existing structure to original use i.e. residential use.
Casa Baga
The authority noted that the structure is being used for commercial purpose. After studying the expert committee report the authority noted there are various new constructions as well as extensions to the existing structures observed during site inspections and these are to be demolished.
To carry out demolitions the extensions and new constructions are to be identified along with the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records (DSLR). Authority decided to conduct site visit along with DSLR and thereafter issue order of demolition.
The Authority also decided to direct Dhody to bring/restore the use of existing structure to original use i.e. residential use.
Casa Anjuna
The authority noted that the structure is being used for commercial purpose. After studying the expert committee report the authority noted there are various new constructions as well as extensions to the existing structures observed during site inspections and these are to be demolished.
To carry out demolitions the extensions and new constructions are to be identified along with the DSLR. Authority decided to conduct site visit along with DSLR and thereafter issue order of demolition. The Authority also decided to direct Dhody to bring/restore the use of existing structure to original use i.e. residential use.
Casa Britona
The authority noted that the structure is being used for commercial purpose. The expert committee found sitting hall/commercial kitchen/massage room and the swimming pool appear to be new constructions.
After studying the expert committee report the authority noted there are various new constructions as well as extensions to the existing structures observed during site inspections and these are to be demolished. Authority decided to conduct site visit alongwith DSLR and thereafter issue order of demolition.
The authority also decided to direct Dhody to bring/restore the use of existing structure to original use i.e. residential use.
But after passing the orders GCZMA decided to review them based on an application filed by Dhody on 03/03/2017 seeking leave to produce additional documents and representation and requesting for an opportunity to put forward a case in detail and grant of personal hearing in the matter.
“The authority upon perusal of the representation decided to forward a copy to the complainant for his reply and in terms of principles of natural justice to grant an opportunity to concerned parties to be heard before the authority,” the GCZMA decision says in the matter dated 23/03/2017.
Herald was unable to get a comment from GCZMA on the issue despite attempts. While Member Secretary Ravi Jha says he is not in position to comment without the consent from GCZMA chairman Daulat Hawaldar, the mobile phone of the chairman went unanswered.
