TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the removal of all temporary and permanent structures along the prohibited areas of turtle nesting areas and has directed the South Goa district authorities to ensure that the area is not disturbed by tourism activities.
The NGT (Western Zone) at Pune passed the order in a case filed by Poinguinkarancho Ekvott regarding the mushrooming of illegal tourism structures at turtle nesting protection sites along the Galgibaga-Talpona stretch.
Passing an order on Tuesday, the NGT comprising Justice V R Kingaonkar, judicial member and Dr Ajay A Deshpande, expert member, stated, “The Deputy Collector, South Goa, shall remove all temporary or permanent structures whatever will be found on stretches of prohibited areas of turtle nesting, with the help of police during relevant period and ensure that the area is not disturbed by the activities of tourists.”
Directing the Deputy Collector/Collector, South Goa, to carry out the demolitions with police protection, it has also asked to obtain financial help from State government, or may utilize environmental protection fund for the work of channelling to protect the beach area in question and till such work is completed, the area to be protected by fixing bamboos around the place.
NGT further ordered the applicant and advocate for GCZMA to furnish copy of the order to the competent authority on the day itself and the deputy collector to file report on the scheduled date.
Earlier taking up the matter, NGT observed, “question prima facie is, whether the structures within NDZ, whether of temporary nature or permanent nature, where turtle nesting area is declared in the stretch of coastal area under the CRZ Regulations are permissible. It is stated that two structures have been removed…”
The order further stated that, “The applicant, however, submits that this kind of statement is required to be verified and there is possibility of erecting structures overnight. We are of the opinion that the area up to distance of 100 mtrs on each side of such nesting area has to be protected by putting up quality channelling, which will not allow any temporary or permanent kind of structure to be erected and single door can be allowed to have egress and ingress only for use of competent authority. This kind of necessary arrangement is required.”
“The Deputy Collector/Collector, South Goa, shall obtain necessary financial help from the State government or may utilize environmental protection fund, if so available for the work of channelling, in order to protect the beach area in question. In the meanwhile, unless such work is completed, the area may be protected by fixing bamboos around the place and which may be removed after channelling,” directed the NGT.
