GCZMA, other authorities pulled up for inaction against illegal Mandovi jetties

UNDER SCRUTINY: ‘Champions’ jetty along the Britona–Ecoxim stretch, flagged as one of the allegedly unauthorised structures on the Mandovi River.

MAPUSA

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) sharply criticised multiple State government authorities, including the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), for failing to act against illegal jetties operating along the Britona–Ecoxim stretch of the Mandovi River.  

The green tribunal issued strict directions to initiate immediate proceedings against six unauthorised jetties, while also reprimanding State bodies for delays, non-compliance and incomplete disclosures.  

The order was passed by a Bench comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Sujit Kumar Bajpayee during the ongoing hearing of a petition filed by Dikshay Dattu Phadte and others.  

The petitioners have sought the closure of unauthorised jetties that, they claim, are degrading ecologically sensitive zones and affecting the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities.  

The Bench’s strongest censure came against the GCZMA, which had submitted an affidavit along with a site inspection report identifying which jetties had obtained permissions and which had not.  

The Tribunal noted that, despite this information, the coastal authority had failed to state what action it had taken against those operating illegally.  

The applicants pointed out that out of nine jetties inspected, only three held valid permissions, while six – including those run by Oceannaire, Funcruise, Salid Fernandes, Jubert, Dharma and Champion – continued operating without authorisation.  

Taking a stern view, the Bench directed the GCZMA to proceed “forthwith” against the violators.  

The Tribunal also reprimanded the Monitoring Committee headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests and the Chief Secretary for ignoring earlier directions issued on August 28 to file their affidavits. Their counsel sought a further three-week extension, which the Tribunal granted but warned it would be the “last opportunity”.  

Even as the Tribunal chastised various authorities for inaction, it took note of the affidavit filed by the Captain of Ports (CoP).  

The CoP reiterated that the permissions it had issued under Rule 54-A of the Goa Port Rules, 1983, relate only to temporary floating jetties, designed to be modular, detachable and removable in the interest of navigational safety. Permission for nine such jetties had been granted, it submitted.  

The NCZMA and MoEF&CC, in their affidavit, stated that jetties are permissible foreshore activities under the CRZ Notification, 2011, and highlighted special provisions allowing panchayat-level approval for fishery-related facilities in Goa.  

However, their affidavit did not mitigate the Tribunal’s concerns over regulatory lapses by the State bodies responsible for enforcement.  

Slamming the absence of a comprehensive overview of jetty operations in Goa, the Tribunal directed both GCZMA and the Captain of Ports to submit a detailed report on all operational jetties in the State within six weeks.  

The matter will next be heard on January 22, 2026.