TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: In a blow to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s warped plans to develop the Vagator beach and amidst protest from locals, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned all construction activities of the tourism project and maintain status quo, until the site inspection report and land survey is submitted.
The GTDC has leased out some 53,000 sq mts to two Delhi-based parties to operate a ‘model tourism-entertainment zone’ for 22 years duration.
“No construction activity shall be undertaken in the
coastal regulation zone (CRZ) area, near Vagator beach and in any case, adjoining hillock, shall not be touched in any manner and the status quo shall be maintained,” NGT’s April 27 order reads.
Justice V R Kingaonkar has ordered site inspection by the Director of Land Survey in the presence of applicants and respondent. The survey shall be carried out within three weeks and the report shall be submitted within six weeks.
“The site inspection shall indicate distance between HTL and proposed construction of Entertainment Park, distance between the public toilet and washroom and Vagator beach, the nature of alleged construction activity contemplated and the area covered thereby,” the order added.
Justice Kingaonkar has also asked State government authorities such as GTDC, Goa Coastal Zone management authority, Goa State Pollution Control Board and Chief Secretary to explain what is the meaning of “Temporary Licence” or the period for each kind of licence and whether it is only a season activity which has been permitted. The government has also been directed to explain whether the structure is likely to be erected overnight and is removable overnight, if so required.
The matter has been posted for July 31.
In its reply, the GCZMA has informed NGT that steps connecting the beach of Vagator, have been demolished, except ones which go towards the public toilet.
The NGT, based on the application filed by Chapora villagers-Girish Gaonkar, Halmalkar and five others, had on April 26 directed GCZMA to remove few structures within the CRZ, including the few steps, which go right to the Vagator beach.
