MAPUSA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has directed a former Arpora-Nagoa panchayat member to demolish illegal structures constructed on the Baga creek. The coastal authority has also directed replanting of the mangroves that were destroyed and to restore the land to its original condition.
The GCZMA direction came after a local, Ana D’Mello, complained against the former panchayat member, Cleophas Fernandes (Celfa), accusing him of carrying out an illegal construction by filling mud along the creek at Baga, Arpora in Calangute constituency.
The complainant also informed that the former panchayat member had carried out the construction in some other person’s property by threatening the owner of the property.
Acting on the complaint, GCZMA immediately issued a show-cause notice cum stop-work order to Cleophas Fernandes.
Interestingly, Fernandes during the hearing conducted by the GCZMA admitted that the area falls in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and such activities of cutting mangroves and the illegal filling was not permissible under the law.
He also admitted that he has illegally erected the structures without requisite approval of the authority.
The GCZMA in its meeting on November 19 considered the undertaking given by Cleophas Fernandes who agreed to remove the structures erected in the property at Baga-Arpora and restore the land to its original condition, and re-plant the mangroves cut by him by December 10.
“In case the offender fails to remove the structure and restore the land then a fine of Rs 5 lakh shall be imposed on the offender for the damage caused to the environment,” said Dashrath Redkar, Member Secretary of GCZMA.
The order further said if the offender fails to demolish the structures within the set date then the deputy collector and SDO of Bardez has to demolish the structures and restore the land and recover the cost from the offender.
The deputy collector has also been asked to recover an additional amount of Rs 5 lakh as a penalty and submit a compliance report within the next three days after the set date of December 10.
The complainant, Ana D’Mello, alleged that the former panchayat member had allegedly carried out illegal activities in the village.
