Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) has alleged that a developer had destroyed beach vegetation in a CRZ no-development zone located on survey number 208/1C of Calangute village, in violation of the Environmental
Protection Act.
In a complaint addressed to the Chief Secretary and other authorities on Thursday, the NGO expressed concern that the clearing was conducted despite a High Court directive in suo motu case No. 1 of 2021, which was initiated following a previous complaint by CCF.
“As a conscientious NGO and advocate for environmental preservation, we find it deeply troubling that such actions by the firm are repeatedly being carried out without regard for the delicate ecosystem and the laws in force to protect it,” said Premanand Divkar, president of CCF.
“It is evident that these actions not only pose a direct threat to the biodiversity and ecological balance of our coastal areas but also undermine the efforts of the community to promote sustainability,” he added. Divkar emphasised the potential consequences of such destruction, including coastal erosion, habitat loss, and reduced recreational value for both locals and tourists.
CCF has called for an immediate investigation and strict action under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, as well as restoration of damaged areas to their natural state.