PANAJI
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has directed an illegal multi-storeyed structure operator in Arambol to pay over Rs 77.92 lakhs as environmental compensation within a period of 60 days.
The Authority has issued a show cause notice to Ashok Kandhari, whose illegal construction was demolished following High Court directives, to pay the compensation, failing which the Pernem Mamlatdar will initiate recovery proceedings.
Public interest litigation was filed before the Bombay High Court at Goa against Kandhari’s illegal structure, pointing out that the facility had no permissions. Accordingly, the Court directed the demolition of the structure and held Kandhari liable for the environmental damage and degradation.
It was after this case that the ward of Girkarwaddo in Arambol came under the High Court’s scrutiny for illegal constructions by the then sarpanch and his family, as well as by other individuals, which were ordered to be demolished.
The GCZMA, during its meeting held on 8 January, decided to issue a show cause notice and directed Kandhari to pay the environmental compensation of Rs 77,92,662.50 within 60 days, failing which the Pernem Mamlatdar shall take appropriate steps to recover the amount as arrears of land revenue and deposit it with the Authority.
“The Authority is of the opinion that the environmental compensation for coastal damage through total ecosystem service value has been a well-thought-out report because environmental damage, once caused, takes a lot of time for healing. This damage is irreversible, and thus terming the environmental compensation as exorbitant or without application of mind would be unjustified,” the Authority noted.
The Authority said that the respondent is obligated to pay compensation for the damages caused to the environment. This includes ecological restoration and reinstating the land to its pristine condition.
“The Authority, through its team, conducted various site inspections post-demolition, and it was noticed that the site was still not cleared. After assessing the damage caused to the environment at the site, the expert members suggested that environmental compensation may be levied for the environmental damages and degradation,” the Authority said.
The compensation is calculated from the date of purchase of the property, which is May 2017, as the property was purchased with the intention of being used for commercial purposes. “Hence, the date for the purpose of calculation is taken as 4 May 2017 till 31 August 2024, completing seven and a half years,” the Authority said.
