Navin Jha
navin@herald-goa.com
Chicolna-Bogmalo: The Pune bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to eight parties and asked them to remain present at the next hearing on July 22 in Pune.
The notices have been served following an application filed by one Fatima D’Cruz before NGT against Bogmalo Beach Resort, La Petite Guest House, Joet’s Guest House, Sarita’s Guest House, Sebliz Stores, Victor Alvares, Kevin’s Shop, John Seagull restaurant. D’Cruz has also made the State government and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority respondents in the case and has accused Chicolna-Bogmalo Panchayat in the complaint.
According to the application, (a copy of which is with Herald), D’Cruz and others have alleged that the businesses have either built permanent structures (new structures after 2006) in order to expand the operational area under the ‘No Development Zone’ (violation of CRZ notification 2011) and/or have been operating the businesses illegally.
The complainants have pleaded for urgent interim relief from NGT to stop the activities and sought demolition of the structures.
D’Cruz said she had sought action against the parties but no action has been taken and activity was going on barely meters away from the high tide line and that access to the beach was blocked.
Chicolna-Bogmalo Sarpanch Laxman Kavlekar said he has received information about the NGT notices but refrained from making any statement on the issue.
The NGT notices have created a storm in Bogmalo as those served with the notices are making desperate efforts to hire a lawyer to represent them at the tribunal.
Although many are confident that their structures were built before 1991 and so do not come under the CRZ rules, the worry is that the complaint states that neither has GCZMA permitted the eight structures nor has the panchayat issued licenses for constructions.
