GCZMA, VP inspect vegetation destruction at Calangute beach

The locals along with the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) had complained to the panchayat and other authorities about the clearing of the beach vegetation and destruction of the beach environment at Khobra-Vaddo, Calangute and urged the concerned authorities to take immediate action in the matter.

The High Court of Bombay at Goa had also taken suo motu cognisance in the matter and issued notices to various departments including deputy collector and village panchayat with a direction to the State government to look into the matter and submit its preliminary report.

The officials conducted a detailed inspection of the area on Friday which will be submitted to the court.

Incidentally, officials of the forest department have also inspected the site on the previous day.

Calangute Sarpanch, Shawn Martins informed that as soon as they received a complaint from the locals the panchayat had notified the police after which the cutting activity was stopped.

He said a notice was also issued to the owner of the property.

“It is difficult to assess the extent of the destruction. We have carried out the inspection and a report will be submitted to the court. The panchayat stands by the locals and we are here to protect the environment,” Martins said.

According to CCF President Premanand Diukar, the destruction carried out by the developer was illegal and action has to be taken against him.

“Why is this destruction happening and who is responsible for this? It has to stop somewhere. This coastal destruction from Candolim to Baga has to stop,” Diukar said.

He said the whole area was filled with medicinal plants and it needs to be protected for posterity.

“Nobody has the right to destroy the environment. The authorities should send a strong report in the matter,” he said.

The panchayat and GCZMA officials also inspected the construction of an illegal road at Gaura-Vaddo east in Calangute.