PANJIM: Goa Foundation (GF) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court of Bombay at Goa seeking the HC’s urgent intervention to save the public Vainguinim Beach, at Dona Paula.
In the PIL, the GF has stated that the owners and present owners of the luxury resort (respondents in the writ petition), have constructed a long concrete structure/embankment across a stretch of the public beach in flagrant and open mockery of the Public Trust Doctrine laid down in several judgements of the Bombay HC and Supreme Court (SC), one which has dealt explicitly with the same Vainguinim Beach.
The State government, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), Taleigao Village Panchayat and Greater Panaji Planning and Development Authority are the other respondents in the writ petition.
The GF also came down heavily on GCZMA against which the citizens had already approached the HC and the authority had earlier stated that it would give its decision by October 1, 2021. It may be recalled that the GCZMA has now asked for additional time.
Amongst the many appeals before the HC, the GF has asked that the State be directed to demolish forthwith in its entirety the concrete structure/embankment constructed on and across Vainguinim Beach and for steps to be taken to restore the beach to its original sandy status with expert advice.
They have also asked for monetary sanctions to be imposed against the resort and GCZMA for the construction and great damage allegedly caused to public property.
The GF has stated that the construction has damaged the beach and constitutes an interference with the rights of the ordinary public to access and enjoy the beach without any impediments and hazards.
The GF added that the construction, made from cement and concrete, has not only created a dead zone for all marine life on the beach but has also marred the natural beauty of the beach.
