SHWETA KAMAT
shweta@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The temporarily constituted Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has decided to immediately demolish or stop operations of the illegal or unauthorised temporary seasonal structures like shacks, huts, cottages operating without Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance.
The committee headed by Secretary Environment has decided to direct all coastal panchayats, municipalities and block development officers (BDO) to identify such structures and submit a compliance report.
As a first step towards acting upon such illegal structures, GCZMA has directed Tourism Department to immediately cancel the licences issued to such temporary structures.
Electricity Department and PWD have been asked to disconnect the power and water supply connections given to such temporary seasonal structures, while Directorate of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been asked to cancel or revoke licences issued.
“It has been brought to the notice of this authority now that there are many temporary seasonal structures, shacks, huts, cottage and tents being constructed and operated within coastal areas of State of Goa without any permission from the GCZMA and other licensing authorities,” the minutes of the first meeting held on August 3, states.
“In this regard the committee has taken serious note of the above and decided to discuss the directions to be issued/course of action to be adopted to ensure immediate stoppage of operation and or demolition of such illegal/unauthorised construction of temporary seasonal structure, shacks/huts/cottages/tents and compliance of National Green Tribunal (NGT) order,” it stated.
NGT in its order issued on February 9, had directed GCZMA to revoke all permissions granted in CRZ areas within a week. The failure of the authority to act, had forced the petitioner to file a contempt plea, wherein NGT issued notice to the authority seeking an explanation.
Meanwhile, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests has completed the mapping of beach shacks using aerial photographs. “The preparation of a framework for beach shack carrying capacity is ongoing. The NCSCM has requested for the cadastral data of the municipal boundaries of the coastal areas of Goa which has to be urgently provided to them,” meeting noted.
