OLD GOA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has issued a show-cause notice cum stop-work order to a recently inaugurated party venue located along the Santa Cruz-Merces highway road.
The GCZMA action comes after a complaint by a Merces local Michael Dias, who had alleged illegal filling of low lying paddy field and illegal construction of structures within CRZ area by the property owners at Murda revenue village of Merces panchayat.
Following the complaint from Dias on February 28 last year, expert members of GCZMA along with expert members and field surveyor of DSLR had conducted a site inspection of the property wherein it had noticed blatant and serious violation of CRZ Notification 2011.
In the order issued by the GCZMA member secretary Dasharath Redkar, it has observed that as per CRZ Notification 2011, the entire belt of 100 metres from the HTL of the river and 200 metres from the HTL from the sea is designated as No Development Zone (NDZ) and hence, no construction/development whatsoever are permissible in the said belt.
“And whereas, the alleged illegal construction is highly detrimental to the coastal ecosystem/riverine ecosystem. Further, it is observed that you have not obtained any prior approval of the GCZMA for the purpose of alleged construction as required under the CRZ Notification 1991/2011,” the notice reads.
The GCZMA has issued directions to the owners under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 read with sub-rule (3) (a) of rule 4 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 to stop work and any commercial use of the property with immediate effect.
A show-cause notice is also issued as to why a direction to demolish the structures and to restore the land to its original condition should not be issued, besides, to impose a hefty penalty under polluter pay principle.
The property owners have also been directed to ensure that no civil work/commercial use of any kind is carried out at the site till further orders.
The owners have been directed to file reply along with compliance report and produce construction/reconstruction/reconstruction/ repair licence/approvals, if any, issued by authorities concerned, including GCZMA, along with the approved plan and title documents to the office of GCZMA on or before January 12.
Further, the owners have been directed to remain present for a personal hearing in the matter on January 14 at 3.30 pm in the GCZMA office at Panaji.
In case of failure to submit reply along with the required documents, the GCZMA has stated that it will conclude that there is no justification to carry out the activities and it shall proceed to issue final directions including the order of demolition of structures, disconnection of water/power supply.
