Authorities asked to inspect site and take legal steps
MARGAO
Days after the Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee ordered the sealing of The Cape Goa at Cabo de Rama, the Deputy Collector, Margao, has written separate letters to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the Tourism Department, seeking further action against the establishments as per existing rules.
In his letter to the GCZMA Member Secretary, Deputy Collector (South Goa) Rohan Loliyekar has called for an immediate site inspection of the entire area by the Authority’s expert members, citing the seriousness of the violations and the ongoing environmental damage.
He has requested the GCZMA to take urgent action, including demolition and removal of illegal structures as per law, restoration of the land to its original and natural condition, and assessment and recovery of environmental compensation for damage caused to the coastal ecology, in line with applicable laws and guidelines. “Given the irreversible nature of environmental degradation in CRZ areas, the matter requires immediate and time-bound intervention by the Authority under the CRZ Notification and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,” the letter stated.
In a similar letter to the Director of Tourism, the Deputy Collector has sought an inspection to determine whether any structures have been constructed on land owned by or vested with the Tourism Department. “If any unauthorised construction is found on land owned or controlled by the Tourism Department, immediate action may be initiated as per law, including demolition of such illegal structures and restoration of the land to its original condition. Considering the scale of the violations and the public interest involved, the matter may be treated as urgent,” he said.
In his letter to the GSPCB Member Secretary, the Deputy Collector has requested the Board to take urgent and appropriate action, including issuing directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, along with provisions of the Air Act and Water Act. This may include closure, prohibition or regulation of the offending activities, cancellation or revocation of any Consent to Establish or Consent to Operate, assessment and recovery of environmental compensation for pollution and ecological damage, and directions for remediation and restoration of the affected area at the cost of the violator.
