MAPUSA
Protesting against rampant destruction of beach vegetation in the coastal village, the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) has said that a large stretch coming under the coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) area in Candolim was cleared of thick vegetation and urged the authorities to take strict action against those involved in such illegal activities.
CCF president Premanand Diukar informed that the owners of property bearing Survey no 129/1 and 129/9 at Vadi Candolim have allegedly cut beach vegetation, locally known as lingod, in violation of the Environment Protection Act 1986.
“We request the competent authorities to take serious cognizance of the matter and initiate appropriate action against the developer as per the law,” Diukar said, in a petition addressed to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Candolim Sarpanch and others.
He said the residents of Vadi, Candolim noticed that the owner of the property had engaged some labourers to cut the beach vegetation within the CRZ area on Wednesday last week.
He further stated that the residents then informed the police, who arrived at the spot and asked the labourers to stop the work.
“The work was stopped in the first half of the day but continued in the second half despite verbal directions from the authority,” Diukar informed.
Incidentally, the High Court had recently taken suo moto cognizance in a similar case of destruction of beach vegetation at Khobravaddo, Calangute and had directed the competent authorities to look into such matters seriously in the protection of beach biodiversity and the environment.
“We only hope that the authorities will act swiftly and clamp down against those involved in such illegal acts. On our part, we will do everything possible to save our land,” the CCF president said.
