VASCO
In a major victory for the villagers of Chicalim, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on August 1, rejected the appeal of a shipyard and ordered Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to restore the illegal reclamation carried out by the shipyard within two months.
A press release issued by Chicalim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC) secretary Rui M Da Costa Araujo, said that the NGT has also ordered that the Chief Electrical Engineer has to disconnect the power supply to the violator till the restoration is complete.
"In addition, the Chicalim panchayat is directed to suspend the trade license of the violator and stop him from carrying on ship repair activity till the execution of work relating to restoration is complete to the satisfaction of GCZMA. The five-member bench of NGT has further stated that since the appellant was permitted to continue activities under an interim order, which are subsequently found to be illegal, the shipyard has to be held liable to pay compensation for the past violations and also to restore the area. GCZMA will also be at liberty to assess and recover compensation for the past violations, following due process of law," the press note adds.
