Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed closure of 67 commercial establishments situated near the designated turtle nesting site at Agonda beach, within next 24 hours.
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The Court direction came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Aman Gupta and after Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the Court that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had not complied with the last order issued by the Court.
Later, he said that he had told the court that GCZMA on the first date of hearing will consider whether commercial activities can be stopped or not. Unfortunately, GCZMA did not comply with his statement and committed contempt of court. There was breach of order.
During the last hearing on February 24, the Court was informed that the GCZMA had issued show-cause notices to the 67 commercial structures around the turtle nesting site, and the Court had directed the GCZMA to submit the timelines within which the show-cause notices will be decided.
Since the GCZMA failed to initiate action to stop commercial activities by these establishments posing a danger to the nesting site, the Court issued notice to the GCZMA through its Member Secretary to explain why action should not be taken against it for non-compliance of the directions issued on February 24 and March 3. The notice is made returnable within a period of one week.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had also submitted that during the inspection carried out, it was found that at least 20 structures did not have necessary consent to operate and they were asked to suspend their operations.
But on March 6, the Court had stated that mere directions for suspension of operation may not serve any purpose and had directed the GSPCB to immediately seal the structures, in which commercial activities were taking place.
The authorities must render full co-operation in sealing these premises, the bench had said.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled on March 26.
