Upon the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), petitioner and locals have now urged the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa SEIAA) to comply with the tribunal’s directives pertaining to the proposed jetty at Selvon and Vodar in Assolda.
Recently, NGT has disposed of the petition filed by Felix Fernandes and others. The appeal, filed under No. 158/2025 (WZ), revolves around alleged environmental violations by the company and the need for stricter enforcement of environmental safeguards.
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The representation to Goa SEIAA was submitted on August 14, 2025, by Advocate Aagney Sail, counsel for the appellants, in compliance with the NGT order dated August 11, 2025. The submission included a scanned copy of the five-page order along with a 228-page appeal.
In its ruling, the NGT specifically referred to paragraph 8, issuing a direction to respondent No. 3 – Goa SEIAA. The tribunal stated that while considering the recommendations made by respondent No. 2 – the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) – SEIAA must also take into account all apprehensions raised by the applicants. The order further recorded that the appellants would approach SEIAA within eight days and formally allowed this time frame for submitting the necessary documents.
Advocate Sail, in his communication to the authority, requested acknowledgment of the representation and sought necessary action in line with the tribunal’s directions. He emphasised the importance of SEIAA’s role in ensuring transparency and compliance with environmental regulations.
Local residents have welcomed the NGT’s intervention but stressed that accountability must follow. “We hope this is not just another paper exercise. The NGT has given clear directions, and it is now up to the State authorities to ensure the law is upheld. Our village and environment cannot be sacrificed for unchecked projects,” said Manoj Naik, one of the petitioners.
For the appellants and concerned locals, the case has become symbolic of a broader struggle to protect Goa’s fragile environment from unchecked development. All eyes are now on SEIAA, which has the responsibility ofbalancing development with ecological protection while complying with the tribunal’s clear directions.
