PANJIM: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for not enforcing its directions towards preservation of turtle nesting sites.
The case dates back to November 2017 when the Tribunal had directed GCZMA to take action against temporary structures constructed along the beaches of Morjim, Mandrem, Galgibag and Agonda without specific permission from GCZMA in No Development Zone (NDZ). On February 25 this year, while hearing an execution application, the Tribunal had ordered for a factual and action taken report from GCZMA within one month.
On Wednesday NGT heard the execution petition filed by Goa Paryavaran Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti and the bench comprising Justices SP Wangdi, K Ramakrishnan and Nagin Nanda issued a show cause notice to GCZMA asking why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against it for having failed to act on its directions.
The Bench observed, “The fact that the GCZMA is now examining the report would reflect undeniably that it is unaware as to whether the directions had been complied with or not. This, in our view, is a sorry state of affairs. Considering the gross non-compliance of the directions calls for strict orders to be passed against the concerned.”
The NGT Bench ordered, “For its failure in terms of the order dated 02.11.2017, the GCZMA shall deposit an interim environment compensation of Rs 1 crore to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within a period of 1 week. A compliance report in respect of the above be filed before this Tribunal be e-mail within 3 weeks.”
NGT took strong objection to the attitude of GCZMA and stated, “Upon perusal of the report placed before us today, we find that it is severely wanting in compliance of the directions issued vide order dated 02.11.2017, though the report is found to be nebulous and bereft of material particulars. The table filed along with the report demonstrates gross non-compliance.”
It added, “It is needless to reiterate that the order was passed as far back as on 02.11.2017 which was required to be complied with expeditiously considering the serious environmental issues which had been raised in the application.”
On February 25, 2019, while directing to submit a factual and action taken report, NGT had observed “(8 companies) have constructed several NDZ offending structures on turtle nesting site, destroying sand dunes and sand vegetation since October, 2013. Commercial activities have been started without permission of the GCZMA. The GCZMA is not performing its duty as a regulatory body to remedy the illegalities.”
