NGT orders PWD, Goa to resume sand dune restoration work

New Delhi (ILNS): The National Green Tribunal directed PWD, Goa and other authorities concerned to take immediate remedial measures for the restoration and regeneration of sand dune ecosystem and riverside areas of village Cavelossim Salsate, Goa.

A bench headed by the Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Judicial Member & Dr Satyawan Singh Garbyal, Expert Member, passed the order on an application filed seeking to issue a direction to stop the activities of illegal dumping of red mud and to stop the construction activities, business activities in the property survey no. 109/2 of village Cavelossim Salsate, Goa and to direct the authorities concerned to take action to remove the mud deposited and demolish all illegal constructions, stop illegal business activities and restore the said land to its original number. It has further been prayed to direct to compensate the village or environmental damage due to destruction of sand dunes and for undertaking illegal construction and illegal business activities in violation of CRZ Regulation, 2011.

It was further stated that the levelling of sand dunes and dumping of red mud in NDZ area in the aforesaid property was without permission from the competent authority and there is illegal construction of boundary wall along sea shore, construction of toilet and several other structures in No Development Zone in violation of the CRZ notification.

Read Also: Law students write to Chief Justice of India over attack on judiciary

Notices were issued and in compliance thereof, the Member Secretary, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had submitted an affidavit that the Secretary with the other expert members visited and inspected the site and observed violation of CRZ Notification, and decided to issue demolition order of all the illegal constructions.

However, a petition was filed before teh Bombay High Court, Writ Petition No. 163/2015 which was disposed of with the direction to dismantle the said structure latest by 10.06.2015. In compliance of the order of the High Court, the structures impugned were demolished. With regard to the restoration of the aforesaid survey no. concerned, it was stated that the team of experts has been constituted to ascertain the method and cost involved.

After the demolition of structures, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) discussed the present status and restoration process with Goa State Bio-Diversity Board (GSBB) and further directs PWD about the proposed scope for restoration work of the land with certain directions such as Removal of concrete floors and parking floor on beach ward side, Removal of boulders and red and prominent coarse rocks protruding from soil, Making Bamboo fence from coastal side to prevent access to sand dune, Avoid use of heavy earth moving equipment.

The tribunal on 19 October 2020 accepts the recommendations and directs PWD Goa and other concerned authorities to take immediate remedial measures of removal of unwanted platforms and trash/debris at the earliest after receiving revised estimates of Goa schedule of Rates within one week with time bound plan of execution which should be complete within 3 months.

Read the order here;