MAPUSA
In a scathing indictment of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the High Court of Bombay at Goa has ordered the authority to respond within four weeks to its show cause notice against a club in Candolim.
The 'Droplet' club stands accused of multiple violations of coastal regulations.
The court's divisional bench, led by Justice M S Sonak and Justice Valmiki Menezes, expressed dismay over the GCZMA's inaction, allowing the club owners to exploit eco-sensitive land merely 20 meters from the shoreline. Despite a stop work order issued in December 2022, the owners brazenly continued construction activities.
“We are horrified that the GCZMA took no action on its own show cause notice cum stop work order dated December 5, 2022 until this petition was filed. The stop work order continues in force to date. Still, despite the stop work order, the respondents (owners) with utmost impunity and brazenness, continued with the construction activity, thereby committing even further violations,” the court observed.
The writ petition, filed by the Calangute Constituency Forum, highlighted the blatant disregard for regulations by 'Droplet,' the club in question. The court emphasised the sensitivity of the area, classified as CRZ-3 with a nearby sand dune area designated as CRZ-1.
A site inspection conducted on Wednesday, prompted by the court's directive, revealed nine violations, including unauthorised permanent construction exceeding approved dimensions. The built-up area of 759.34 sq mts far surpassed the permitted 304.26 sq mts for temporary structures.
Additionally, the property was fully covered with permanent flooring and structures, contrary to regulations. Of particular concern was the encroachment upon the sand dune area, designated as CRZ-1 in the 2011 Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP). The court emphasised that such areas are sacrosanct, with no allowance for construction or disturbance.
“The sand dunes are classified as CRZ-1, and it is impermissible to even dress the sand dunes, much less flatten them or build on them. Since the 2011 CZMP had demarcated this area as a sand dune area, there was no question of even granting permission to put up such a big project,” the court said.
The High Court's ruling not only demands a detailed response from the GCZMA but also prohibits the removal of seals or the commencement of commercial operations in the club without court approval.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on June 18.
