LI Network
Published on: 27 January, 2024 at 11:08 IST
The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to issue show-cause notices within 15 days to 64 illegal structures in Arambol.
The Court expressed concern over the existence of 187 illegal constructions in the no-development zone (NDZ) within one small ward of Arambol, housing just 800 voters. It emphasized the need to address these widespread illegalities promptly.
The Court’s directive comes in response to the alarming number of illegal constructions in the NDZ of Arambol, and it aims to expedite the process of dealing with these violations.
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has been instructed to issue notices to the identified illegal structures and dispose of the cases within three months.
The Court also emphasized the severity of the issue by ordering that seals placed on 49 of these commercial structures should not be removed without the court’s permission. This decision aims to prevent any further unauthorized use of these structures until the legal process is completed.
The High Court expressed concerns about those responsible for preventing such illegalities possibly being involved in them. It warned that if those tasked with taking action against illegal constructions engage in such activities, Goa’s renowned beachline, already under pressure, could face further deterioration.
Addressing the argument of a former sarpanch and current panch, Bernard Fernandes, who claimed similarity with other illegal structures in Arambol, the court rejected the contention. The court highlighted the distinction between a sarpanch and panch engaging in serious illegalities and emphasized that their roles should have been to prevent large-scale violations rather than being complicit in them.
The Bombay High Court’s decision underscores the urgency of addressing rampant illegal constructions in sensitive zones and sends a clear message about the need for strict enforcement to preserve the region’s environmental integrity.
The court’s directive serves as a reminder of the responsibility authorities bear in safeguarding areas prone to ecological damage.