HC directs GSPCB to enforce ‘Silence Zone’ order along Ashvem-Mandrem beach stretch

PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to enforce the ‘Silence Zone’ order of the District Collector, inspect all the illegal establishments and ensure complete closure of the establishments in beach stretches Ashvem, Mandrem and Morjim falling in the zone.

The GSPCB has been directed to proceed with inspections with utmost dispatch and the North Goa Collector and GSPCB have ordered to file compliance reports before April 17, 2023. 

The High Court has said that the affidavit of the GSPCB has disclosed a very disturbing and shocking state of affairs insofar as the commercial establishments on the 

Ashvem-Mandrem beach stretch are concerned. The GSPCB in its affidavit stated that out of the 18 establishments that were inspected by their team, 14 did not possess valid consent to operate under Air and Water Act. 

The HC observed “The Ashvem-Mandrem beach has a turtle nesting site and consequently, the same is one of the most ecologically sensitive area in Goa. Yet, the Ukiyo Beach Resort and the 14 commercial establishments have continued their commercial activities on this beach without even bothering to obtain any consent to operate from the GSPCB. It is equally disturbing that agencies like the GSPCB, who have been entertaining applications from these establishments under the Noise Pollution Rules, never flagged this issue of operations without any consent to operate”. 

The HC has directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the order of “Silence Zone” at the Ashvem-Mandrem beach stretch dated December 12, 2020 is strictly enforced. The Collectors and the Deputy Collectors have been made responsible for implementation of this order.

It may be recalled that these establishments along the Mandrem-Morjim-Ashvem beach stretches have been operating for last several months without paying heed to the rules and regulations. 

There have been several complaints by locals against noise pollution which have been falling on deaf ears. The HC has now ordered closure of the violating establishments immediately providing relief to the local complaining about the problems arising from the unauthorised establishments.