Team Herald
VASCO/PANJIM: The ongoing Baina beach beautification project, undertaken by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) at an estimated cost of Rs 2.29 crore is likely to face a setback as the Pune Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the State government and other government agencies to appear before the bench on October 4.
The notice has been issued in response to the petition filed before the NGT by one Rajabhau Lahanu Pawar of Maharashtra, challenging the Baina beach beautification work.
Pawar, in his petition raised objections to the construction work undertaken to beautify Baina beach.
He alleged that the project undertaken on the sandy portion of the beach falls in the intertidal zone and under CRZ-1, under CRZ notification 2011 and therefore the project is in complete disregard of the notification. He pleaded for necessary action in accordance with the law and steps to be taken to restore the damage caused to the environment.
GTDC was granted CRZ permission by GCZMA for construction of six RCC (concrete) pergolas and pointed out that the project has taken into consideration the present beach geomorphology and the present beach profile.
Admitting the plea, NGT in its notice has asked the Chief Secretary, GCZMA, GTDC, and MMC who have given approval for the project on the basis of approval from Mormugao Planning and Development Authority to appear before it on Oct 4.
The permission granted by GCZMA for “beautification” of Baina beach states that it is subject to the condition that there should not be any violation of CRZ Notification 2011. The CRZ notification clearly states that changes for beautification and recreation in CRZ II is not permitted.
A local group of activists, under the banner of Mormugao Vasco Citizens Forum (MVCF), had objected to the concrete structure under the project and had demanded that the authorities stop the same failing which the forum had threatened to approach the court.
The forum had also pointed out that in 2006, the State had demolished shop like structures built along with the retaining wall of the beach constructed by Goa State Urban Development Agency and the same yardsticks should be applied to this project.
