PERNEM: The Mandrem panchayat stopped an alleged illegal construction in the CRZ area on Ashwem beach on Tuesday following complaints from villagers.
The locals accused the concerned owner of encroaching on the beach by fencing the area admeasuring six metres of sand dunes.
Locals alleged that a real estate company has carried out illegal construction of laterite stones and iron rods in Survey No. 211/2-A when the owner has taken permission only for wooden huts. The owner was found encroaching around six meters of sand dunes.
The alert villagers complained to local panchayat and Range Forest Officer since the owner had even chopped beach vegetation. Taking contingence of the same, the panchayat members led by sarpanch Konadkar rushed to the spot and stopped the work.
The panchayat and Forest Department teams conducted the panchanama and directed the owner to clear the encroachment.
Tushar Govekar, a villager said, “Illegal construction has been carried out in CRZ area and the owner has encroached on the beach with a fence. The panchayat has stopped the work and the RFO has registered an offence for destroying beach vegetation. We will write to the CRZ regarding this”.
Prasad Shahapurkar, another local said, “Under the nose of authorities such illegal activities are being carried out. The view of the beach has been blocked as the vegetation is destroyed. When locals intervened, the cutting was stopped”.
The panchayat notice stated that the owner has carried out construction in Survey No 211/2-A at Ashvewada without obtaining prior permission from the competent authorities. The panchayat further directed the owner to demolish/dismantle the said structure failing which further necessary action will be taken as per the Goa Panchayat Raj Act 1994.
