NGT issues notices on plea against GCZMA nod for Colva beach project

The Nation al Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, Pune, has issued notices to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and other respondents on a petition filed by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) challenging the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (GCZMA) per mission for reconstruc tion of shops and allied tourism-linked structures at Colva beach under the Centre-sponsored Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme. The application seeks quashing of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted by GCZMA for the proposed project in Colva village, Sal cete, on the ground that the site falls within a No Devel opment Zone (NDZ), where permanent commercial con structions are prohibited. Appearing for CCCF, counsel submitted that several sur vey numbers forming part of the project area are clas sified as NDZ and relied on a site inspection report to argue that such construction cannot be permitted under prevailing Coastal Regula tion Zone (CRZ) norms. The petition states that while CRZ provisions allow limited development in NDZ areas — including basic pub lic utilities required for tra ditional inhabitants — the structures approved in this case exceed those permissi ble activities. According to the application, the project includes reconstruction of commercial units, a shop ping complex and food court plaza, beach deck, pedes trian and vehicular bridges, tourist security cabin, hawk ers’ plaza and outdoor beau tification works linked to commercial areas. CCCF con tends these are permanent in nature and fall outside the scope of activities allowed within an NDZ. The forum has also questioned GCZMA’s deci sion-making process, citing meeting minutes and the site inspection report to allege violation of the CRZ framework. Observing that the mat ter raises a substantial en vironmental question, the Tribunal directed issuance of notices, returnable with in four weeks. CCCF has also sought an interim stay on implementation of the permission. The proposed beach development has previously figured in gram sabha discussions in Colva.