PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday issued contempt notices to the Tourism Director and other respondents for allegedly failing to prevent cremations near the turtle nesting site at Vithaldaswada in Morjim.
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority informed the Court that no applications were submitted and no permissions were granted for carrying out cremation activities in the area. The respondents have been given time till August 11 to file their replies while the matter has been adjourned to August 14.
The development comes a day after the High Court ordered an immediate stay on the ongoing development and beautification works at the Morjim Turtle Nesting Beach. The works, which began on July 24, are alleged to have caused damage to an ancient sand dune bank, as stated in a PIL filed by Morjim resident Capt Gerald Fernandes and the NGO Goa Foundation.
The petitioners expressed growing concern among Morjim citizens, who have been closely tracking media reports about proposed activities on the beach, which is a designated turtle nesting site.
