NGT goes by GCZMA report, stays Siolim project

Team Herald

PANJIM: Coming down heavily on the Water Resources Department (WRD) for ‘incorrect” information, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday stayed the controversial construction and repair of the bund at Siolim, after Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) authenticated that the project is a jetty for anchoring vessels. 

The NGT western zone bench, Pune was hearing a petition filed by one Suvarnasangeet Vernekar, representing tenants of the agricultural field known as ‘Tarchem Khazan’, who had sought interim relief in the form of a stay on the alleged illegal project undertaken without environmental clearance. The petitioner had also pointed out that the work of the bund is been undertaken in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and without its clearance. 

The petitioner had claimed that the proposed construction work has led to damage of agricultural fields in the area.

Making a prima facie case and following a site inspection by GCZMA that found fault with WRD over alleged violation of CRZ norms during the construction of the bund and also development of river front along the Chapora River, NGT stayed the project. 

GCZMA had come down heavily on WRD for providing incorrect information about the projects. “Although the WRD officials categorically informed us that this structure being built is not a jetty/not meant for boats/has no provisions for anchoring, a site visit on June 8, 2016 clearly showed that this construction is indeed comparable to a jetty, and further, it will have a higher level than any other normal jetty. It is not known as to why the WRD is projecting a wrong image,” the GCZMA site report stated.

“It is pertinent to note that the permission from GCZMA was asked for repair of bund, such structures comprises of compact earthen embankments found along the rivers of Goa and even paddy field. But what was observed during the site inspection was rather alarming,” the report stated adding that large machinery was seen at the site.

Siolim bund area comes under the ambit of CRZ 2011 regulations. The long bund that is about 5-6 metres in width is a “double” No Development Zone (NDZ) by virtue of the tidally influenced river Chapora in the north and the narrow creek in the south.

As per the affidavit filed before NGT, GCZMA has directed WRD to take up the work of strengthening and repair of bund on priority on phase I and to follow the recommendations made by the authority.