CANACONA
The residents of Khola village have decried and raised eyebrows of suspicion of mass illegal activities in violations of CRZ regulations at the picturesque location at Rajbagh beach, in Khola village.
A short video clip and several photographs of the construction activities destroying the eco-sensitive zone and dumps of steel rods has gone viral on various social media platforms since Saturday evening.
Workers are seen busy working to erect platforms, landscaping and cutting coconut trees on the edge of a cliff off Rajbagh beach, a few kilometres from the Archives protected Cabo-de-Rama Fort in Khola village.
When contacted, locals informed that not only one, but similar and even larger construction activities are going on and some have already been constructed in various coastal parts of Khola village, especially in the same locality and surrounding to the historical Cabo-de-Rama Fort.
“Most of these activities are taking place by either damaging or destroying the eco-sensitive areas, no development zones, in blatant violations of CRZ regulations. We are unaware about any legality or illegality, as neither the panchayat nor any other government agency are ever seen inspecting these violations,” informed a resident in the neighbourhood.
When contacted Khola Sarpanch Purna Nayak categorically denied any application from anyone concerned to construct any type of structure in Khola village and said, the construction/erection activities going on at Rajbagh beach is illegal.
“Nevertheless, we have assumed the activities reportedly going on at Rajbagh area is illegal, as we have not received any application for the same. We do not know who is responsible for these activities, but the panchayat will have an inspection of the area on Monday, before initiating any action to stop the same,” Purna Nayak told The Goan.
The Sarpanch further informed, usually the panchayat on receipt of necessary documentations including CRZ, pollution control board, fire, etc issues seasonal licences to atleast three applicants in the same neighbouring area, but as far as the alleged new construction, panchayat so far has not received any application.”
Locals further informed that the property in which the construction activities are reported belongs to a local resident, who reportedly has either sold or has leased the place to an outside element reportedly engaged in tourism trade in other parts of Canacona taluka.
Locals, however, allege involvement of some top political forces on whose blessings such illegal commercial activities are being rampantly taken up in the coastal areas of Khola village, and demand suitable action by the government to stop such activities.
