From a common Goan’s perspective, it’s heartening to note that the judiciary has been a saviour on issues relating to environmental damage, destruction of coastline and land. The National Green Tribunal in its order released on Monday has declined Goa government’s request to allow the process of shack allotment to continue. The tribunal has reiterated its earlier orders which stressed on expediting the process while observing that unregulated developmental activity is causing potential damage to the environment in the absence of adequate regulatory regime.
The tribunal has refused to grant further relaxation while observing that seeking repeated extensions cannot be an excuse for unregulated development along the coast. It has observed that operations under the shack policy will be a threat to the environment in the absence of regulations. The State government is allowed time till November 15, 2019, to finalize its coastal plan, with the shack policy remaining in cold storage till then.
Can the State government convince the tribunal on why it missed its deadline of April 30, 2018, and again another one on August 31, 2019? The rampant destruction of the coastline is there for everyone to see. Sand erosion is threatening to wipe away the coastline while authorities keep toying with the high tide line. Destruction of the coastline cannot be allowed to accommodate business establishments and the real estate lobbies. The rejection of Goa’s plea may spell doom for the tourism season, but it comes as a blessing in the larger scheme of things. The over-exploitation of beaches has to stop, and the time is now.
Judiciary’s concern over the destruction of Goa’s land can be seen in several cases in recent times and last week’s Supreme Court observation on forest cover is a classic case. The bench was hearing an application moved to modify an earlier order restricting the conversion of any plot with tree canopy density in excess of 0.1 and an area above one hectare. The apex court ruled that just because Goa has a cover in excess of the national average doesn’t give it a licence for destruction. While expressing its intention of not opposing sustainable development, the bench sent a strong message to the solicitor general that it will not allow a single tree to be cut down.
Even in the recent Tuem tragedy, it was the NGT which drew the attention of the State government that stone quarries have been left open resulting in disturbance to the eco-system of the area. The tribunal had observed that no action has been taken by statutory authorities on illegal operators who are doing business on government and forest land without even obtaining environmental clearances.
While people are losing confidence in those vouching for the interests of the State and its land, the judiciary has emerged as the guardian of Goemkarponn in the true sense of the word.
