PANJIM: Goa Foundation (GF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the Baina beautification project stating that the project site falls in a no development zone (NDZ). The matter will be heard on Thursday.
Earlier this month, NGT had refused to grant a stay on the project undertaken by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in a petition filed by an individual from Vasco.
While moving NGT against GTDC and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), GF has sought interim relief pleading that the project proponent be directed to stop all development works and restore the Baina beach to its original and natural conditions.
“The construction is within the NDZ of Baina beach. The area constitutes the NDZ in accordance with the CRZ notification. Hence, there cannot be any construction in the said area either government or private,” the petitioner pleaded.
The petitioner has pointed out that the High Court has in the past ordered demolition of structures on the same beach constructed by Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA), on the principle that the constructions were within 200 mts of the HTL and hence violated the CRZ notification. “Hence the current constructions should be barred on the same principles,” it stated.
GF brought to the notice of NGT that the construction at the site is contrary to the decision of the GCZMA besides being in violation of the CRZ notification. “The impugned activity will invariably destroy the natural topography of the beach and its inherent beauty and thus deprive the residents of the city of a priceless natural heritage, which cannot be restored once destroyed or altered in the manner proposed,” it stated, adding that the GCZMA expert committee has in its report stated that the if the construction is allowed, the beach area would be fatally damaged.
The beach needs to be rehabilitated and restored, dune vegetation planted, sand dune area kept free of construction, petitioner said.
