the goan I network
MARGAO
Asserting there’s no provision in the CRZ to permit sewage treatment plant in the no-development zone (NDZ) for private use, the Cavelossim Villagers Forum has demanded the immediate revocation of the permission granted for a temporary STP structure.
The Forum has further demanded the demolition of what it called as the illegal STP construction by a resort at Cavelossim and impose heavy damages and prosecute the hotel under section 5 of the Environment Protection Act.
Addressing the media, Forum President Irish Passainha informed that the resort in question had initiated reconstruction of the STP in the NDZ right on a sand dune in 2017, making it clear there is no provision in the CRZ to permit STP in the NDZ area for private use.
When the matter came up before the National Green Tribunal on March 27 last, directions were issued to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to verify the factual position and file an action-taken report.
Upon perusal of the report by the GCZMA report, the NGT observed that it appears that the site in question partially falls within 0-200 meters (NDZ area) and partly beyond 200 meters of CRZ-III.
Incidentally, the NGT has asked GCZMA to verify on all aspects and contentions and submit a report before next date after its counsel submitted before the Tribunal that it is not certain as to whether the STP is a replacement of the existing STP at the same site or has been shifted elsewhere. Meanwhile, Cavelossim Forum maintained that the STP presently existing is a new one and is not a replacement of the old existing one.
The NGT has further asked the GSPCB to take appropriate action with regard to the discharge of the effluent by the hotel as reflected in the report filed by the GCZMA, even as the Tribunal made it clear that the GCZMA and the GSPCB are at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with law in the event any of the allegations are found to be correct.
The mater will come up before the NGT at the next date of hearing on September 5.
