Activist flags gaps in implementation of Green Tribunal, High Court directives; says transparency and enforcement reforms remain largely on paper
MARGAO
Have directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court to ensure transparency and an effective enforcement mechanism to deal with CRZ violations, gone abegging for lack of implementation by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA)?
Consider this. While disposing of an appeal in 2021, the National Green Tribunal’s Western Zone Bench directed the GCZMA to prepare an inventory of illegal structures based on an independent annual survey and to update it periodically. The objective was to prevent selective action against Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations and ensure uniform enforcement.
The Tribunal further observed that the GCZMA needed to establish an effective monitoring mechanism to uphold the rule of law and address violations in a systematic manner.
These directions came after the NGT noted that the “GCZMA appears to be working only on the basis of complaints against illegal structures and a large number of illegal structures continue to exist despite directions of the High Court.”
The High Court, in a separate matter, also laid considerable emphasis on transparency in the functioning of the authority. The Court categorically held that it would be the responsibility of the GCZMA to create a dedicated website and place in the public domain key information, including meeting agendas, minutes, decisions taken, clearance letters, details of violations, action taken reports, and pending court matters. The Court further directed that orders passed by the High Court and the NGT, as well as the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan, be uploaded to ensure transparency and accountability in the authority’s functioning.
The question that now arises is whether these judicial directions have been effectively implemented, or whether they remain largely on paper despite repeated concerns over enforcement of CRZ norms in Goa.
Environmental activist Judith Almeida, however, says the GCZMA has yet to fully comply with these directions. “The GCZMA has failed to create and maintain a fully functional, transparent and regularly updated dedicated website as directed by the High Court. Details of CRZ violations, complaints, action taken reports, demolition proceedings, court orders and status reports are not being systematically uploaded and maintained in the public domain,” Almeida alleged.
She further pointed out that the NGT’s order dated September 24, 2025, directing the Authority to upload details of all alleged unauthorised structures and related particulars within three months, has also not been complied with.
Almeida said no comprehensive inventory or annual survey of illegal CRZ structures has been prepared or published, contrary to the observations and directions of the NGT.
“The functioning of the GCZMA continues to lack transparency, accountability and effective monitoring, thereby defeating the very purpose for which the Authority was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the subsequent Coastal Regulation Zone notifications,” she said.
Activist petitions govt to enforce court, NGT directions
Environmental activist Judith Almeida has approached the Chief Secretary and the Environment Secretary, urging them to issue immediate directions to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to ensure full compliance with the directives of the High Court of Bombay at Goa and the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
In a representation submitted to the authorities, activist Almeida called for the operationalisation and maintenance of a dedicated public website containing key information, including agendas and minutes of GCZMA meetings, CRZ clearances and permissions, complaints received, details of violations and action taken reports, the status of demolition and removal proceedings, court and NGT orders, and approved Coastal Zone Management Plans.
Almeida further urged the government to upload, within a fixed timeframe, a comprehensive list of alleged unauthorised structures as directed by the NGT. The list, she said, should include details of complainants, alleged violators, the nature of violations, and the current status of each case.
The activist also called for an independent annual survey to prepare a comprehensive inventory of all illegal structures within Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas across Goa.
Additionally, she sought the establishment of an effective monitoring and enforcement mechanism to ensure uniform and non-selective implementation of CRZ regulations. Almeida also urged the government to fix accountability on officials responsible for failing to comply with judicial directions over the years.
Consequences of non-compliance
The environmental activist has pointed out that the continued inaction and non-compliance by GCZMA undermines the authority of the High Court and the National Green Tribunal.
In her letter to the Chief Secretary, she said non-compliance violates the principles of transparency and public accountability in environmental governance; enables continued illegal constructions and CRZ violations along the coast of Goa; results in selective and arbitrary enforcement of environmental laws; and causes irreversible ecological damage to Goa’s fragile coastal ecosystem.
“The persistent failure of Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to act in accordance with judicial directions raises serious concerns regarding governance, accountability, and protection of Goa’s coastal environment. Immediate intervention by the government is therefore warranted in the interest of the rule of law and environmental protection,” she added.
