VASCO
When private fishing structures violating CRZ norms at Baina beach were deemed fit for demolition, the government should have applied the same policy to its own structures in that same zone, right? Wrong. Different sets of rules are being applied to the two sets of structures, with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) building concrete columns barely about 50 metres from the high tide line (HTL), reportedly for a beach beautification project at Baina. This project appears contrary to Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority s (GCZMA) decision to clear some illegal structures at Baina beach and later serve demolition notices to 121 remaining structures belonging to traditional fishermen, on grounds that the fishing structures were within 200 metres of HTL. Details of the GTDC project were not easy to gather as the contractor had not displayed a signboard detailing the nature of the project, date of construction and completion, permissions from authorities and other details, mandatory for all government projects. The construction of columns has angered traditional fishermen, who sought to know how and why the government had a different set of rules for their private fishing structures and government structures. “Some of our old structures were demolished by GCZMA authorities on grounds that they had violated CRZ norms, even though these structures which are used to mend our nets and keep canoes during monsoon were constructed before CRZ rules came into force,” remarked Ramesh Tandel, a fisherman. “At the same time, the GCZMA has been silent on these concrete structures barely 20 metres from HTL. If they could demolish our structures, what stops them from applying the same set of rules to government structures,” asked Tandel. The contractor, Allabaksh Mullah, was asked if he had any permission from the GCZMA to construct concrete structures at Baina beach. “Permissions are with GTDC and I was only given the plan to construct the concrete structures and other beautification work,” admitted Mullah. Asked why he had not displayed any board stating the nature and duration of the project as well as permissions from authorities concerned, Mullah declined to comment. The site engineer also stated that permissions were with GTDC, while they only had the beach beautification plan. When contacted, GTDC engineer S Nadkarni confirmed they had obtained an NOC from GCZMA for the Baina beach beautification project. Asked if the GTDC had explicit permission from GCZMA to construct concrete structures barely 20 meters from HTL at Baina beach, Nadkarni replied: “There is an NOC from GCZMA to carry out the necessary work.” Despite efforts, GCZMA Member Secretary Vikas Gaunekar did not respond to calls to confirm if GCZMA had issued an NOC to the structures at Baina beach. When contacted, Forest And Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar said: “I am not aware of the project at Baina beach, but will look into the matter.”
