the goan I network
PANAJI
It was on Pereira’s petition the High Court back in 2012 ruled that while State-level permissions committee and the tourism department could grant permissions to the organisers of events “the decision as to whether the activity undertaken is in compliance with Coastal Regulation Zone, 2011, will be taken by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.”
Pereira has now threatened to file contempt proceedings before the court against the organisers as well as the authorities for erecting structures within the No Development Zone for a wedding at Arossim beach as there is no permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.
The Department of Tourism had granted permission to one Shyam Haridas to organise a beach wedding at Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Utorda Beach on December 12.
However, Pereira is of the opinion that the licence issued by the Department of Tourism is contrary to the directions of the High Court. He contended that using the permission from the tourism department, the organisers are erecting metal stages and sound systems in the eco fragile CRZ- I designated inter-tidal zone.
The provisions of the CRZ Notification 2011 prohibit erection of stages in the CRZ-I designated intertidal zone. “The tourism department has been misusing the powers as vested by issuing such licences without obtaining prior environmental clearances from the GCZMA as mandated by the CRZ notification 2011. The licences issued by the department of tourism are illegal and no such activity can be permitted in the intertidal zone,” Pereira said in his complaint which has been sent to various authorities including the Verna Police, the tourism department and the GCZMA.
Earlier, the GCZMA had issued a notice to another resort, the Park Hyatt Hotel
and Spa at Arossim beach, for allegedly violating CRZ regulations and setting up structures within the No Development Zone, also for a beach wedding.
