The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, Pune, has directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to make public the details of all alleged unauthorised structures along the state’s coastal belt. The Tribunal has ordered that the information be uploaded on GCZMA’s official website within three months. The directive was issued during the hearing of an execution application filed by a petitioner, who pointed out that GCZMA had not fully complied with earlier NGT instructions for greater transparency in handling complaints of violations under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The petitioner stressed that while partial disclosures were being promised, a complete and accessible record of violations was essential for ensuring accountability in coastal governance. In its affidavit dated September 23, GCZMA stated that it was prepared to upload details only of cases where demolition orders had already been passed. However, the petitioner argued that such a limited approach would defeat the very purpose of the Tribunal’s earlier order. He maintained that the public should have access to the entire set of complaints of illegal structures, regardless of whether demolition directions had been issued.
The submissions also highlighted the need for the records to carry comprehensive details, including the names of complainants and alleged violators, the nature of violations reported, the action taken by authorities, and the current status of each case. Accepting these arguments, the NGT Bench directed GCZMA to upload full and detailed data of all complaints dating back to January 2019. This directive, the Tribunal underlined, must be complied with as per Section 4.2 (vii) of the CRZ Notification, 2011, which emphasizes transparency and public accessibility of information concerning coastal zone management.
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The Tribunal also made it clear that if the directions were not followed, the applicant was at liberty to approach it again for enforcement. This order is expected to mark a significant step in strengthening accountability in the management of Goa’s fragile coastal stretches, which continue to face mounting pressure from unregulated development.
For years, environmentalists and citizens have complained about illegal resorts, shacks, and other structures mushrooming along the state’s shoreline, often in clear violation of CRZ rules.
While authorities have occasionally taken action, the lack of systematic transparency has fueled concerns about selective enforcement and unchecked coastal degradation. By mandating that all complaints since January 2019 be made publicly available, the Tribunal has sought to ensure that citizens, activists, and stakeholders have access to verified data on violations and enforcement. Environmental groups believe that this could empower local communities to monitor compliance and prevent further encroachment on sensitive ecosystems such as sand dunes, mangroves, and turtle nesting sites.
