MARGAO
The destruction of a sand dune in Benaulim nearly two years ago has resurfaced as a major environmental concern, with the local panchayat and residents accusing the authorities of failing to restore the dune or act against those responsible.
On Wednesday, the Benaulim panchayat, led by Sarpanch Xavier Pereira, formally wrote to the Member Secretary of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), expressing frustration that the dune remains unrestored. The panchayat said the inaction reflects “a very lethargic attitude and total disregard for the destruction of the environment”.
The Sarpanch pointed out that the Panchayat had in March 26, 2025 requested the GCZMA to provide the Panchayat with a copy of the Site Inspection Report for the joint site inspection carried out on January 6, 2025 and also to inform the action taken report in the matter. He said the Panchayat has not received any reply from the GCZMA so far.
Meanwhile, complainant Rudolf Barretto, who had lodged the first complaint in the matter, has said the sand dune "still cries for its restoration". He questioned why the case has not received the same urgency as the Fatrade incident.
“I followed up with the matter with the Panchayat. The Sarpanch showed me a heap of periodic correspondence done with government authorities, including GCZMA, Secretary (Environment), Chairman District Level Committee, Director Tourism, Member Secretary GSPCB, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and Dy Collector Salcete Taluka. The destroyed sand dune cannot read this correspondence. It can only cry,” Barretto said.
He added: “The Member Secretary of GCZMA is yet to reply to the Panchayat's request. But yes, the GCZMA is not dead. They have recently given an NOC to put up so-called temporary structures in the adjacent property for which an application was made a few months earlier.”
The complainant said it’s high time the GCZMA is pulled up for its lethargic attitude and total disregard for the destruction of the environment.
