PANAJI
The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) has sharply reprimanded the Goa government for failing to attend a crucial meeting on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations held last month, even as the State continues to account for more than half of all reported CRZ violations in the country. The meeting also held detail discussion on Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs).
NCZMA noted that the State is among those few who have failed to submit mandatory monthly reports detailing CRZ violations and action taken against offenders, as sought during the last meeting in September, 2025.
In a stern warning, the Authority said such absence by State Coastal Zone Management Authorities (SCZMAs) "will not be accepted in future" and directed that all defaulting States and Union Territories be formally informed of its displeasure.
Data placed before the NCZMA reveal that out of 1,878 CRZ violation cases reported across India over a five-year period up to March 2023, Goa alone accounted for 974 cases -- a staggering 51.86 per cent of the national total.
The Authority noted that representatives from States like Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, etc did not attend the meeting, despite critical discussions on pending CZMPs, enforcement mechanisms and action against coastal violations.
"The Authority noted with concern the non-submission of monthly reports of violations and action taken on them by various States/UTs," the minutes state, directing all coastal States to furnish progress reports without delay to enable effective monitoring at the national level.
Official records show that between January 2022 and December 2025, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) received more than 550 complaints related to CRZ violations. Bardez emerged as the most violation-prone taluka with 255 complaints, followed by Canacona with 102 and Pernem with 80, indicating sustained development pressure along Goa's coastal belt.
The NCZMA observed that while issuance of show-cause notices remains a common response by authorities, enforcement often fails to progress beyond preliminary action.
It stressed that State CZMAs have already been empowered under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to undertake enforcement and monitoring of CRZ provisions and must strengthen mechanisms to ensure compliance and deterrence against continued violations.
In a move aimed at tightening enforcement, the Authority suggested that States consider delegating powers to District Collectors and District Magistrates to take action against CRZ violations at the field level. Such decentralisation, it said, could help improve compliance and facilitate quicker action in coastal areas.
