CANACONA: Rapping the State authorities for not complying with an order to remove illegal structures at the Galgibag turtle nesting site, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Pune directed the Canacona deputy collector and GCZMA member secretary to identify and demolish the illegal huts and shacks there within two weeks.
In an order dated May 5, an NGT panel consisting of Justice V R Kingaonkar (judicial member) and Dr Ajay A Deshpande (expert member) stated, “We have heard the applicant in person. The member secretary of GCZMA is present. The deputy collector, and SDM, South Goa appears to have been informed vide communiqué issued by GCZMA to remove eight illegal shacks and 52 huts that are within the turtle nesting area. There appears to be non-compliance.”
The order also observed that the deputy collector had joined recently and, therefore, might have not been able to attend to the matter. It continued, “We direct the deputy collector, Canacona shall attend to the matter immediately and, with the help of member secretary of GCZMA, identify illegal huts and shacks, which shall be demolished within two weeks. In case there is violation of directions, the applicant is at liberty to file an application under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010 for initiating suitable penal action against the authority.”
The order also stated, “A copy of the order be issued to the deputy collector, Canacona and served on him by ‘Dasti’ service, as well as the Member Secretary of GCZMA may be served the copy.”
Due to technical problems, however, the order was posted on the Tribunal’s website only on Wednesday.
If sources are to be believed, Canacona Dy Collector Chandrakant Shetkar has taken an initiative to strictly act on the NGT order, and accordingly, plans are being made to demolish the illegal structures at Galgibag.
Incidentally, a paragraph of Section 26 of the NGT Act 2010 says, “Whoever fails to comply with any order or award or decision of the Tribunal, under this Act, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine which extends to Rs 10 crore, or with both – and in case the failure or contravention continues, with additional fine which may extend to Rs 25000 for every day during which such failure or contravention continues after conviction for the first such failure or contravention.”
