PANAJI
The National Green Tribunal has dismissed an appeal filed against an order of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority which had ordered the demolition of tourism structures including Cafes and restaurants along the Morjim beach.
The NGT in its order has asked that besides the demolition of violating structures there should be no artificial lighting or litter along the turtle nesting beaches.
“Goa is fortunate to have some of the beaches which are preferred by sea turtles particularly Olive Ridley turtles for laying their eggs, therefore, every effort is required to be made by the concerned authorities to keep such beaches undisturbed and in pristine condition,” the NGT bench of Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Satyawan Singh Garbyal, said.
“There should not be any structures, whether temporary or permanent, to be erected in such beaches and no artificial lighting or food articles or litter to be allowed to be thrown in these beaches. Artificial lights disturb the turtles since they are extremely sensitive as they are guided by natural light and moon lights. And there should not be any litter on the beaches which would attract unwanted predators,” the NGT said.
“There should not be any interference during the hatching process and a distance should be maintained, [since] if disturbed the turtles withdraw from nesting. We, therefore, direct that the sheds, sunbeds etc., which are there in these beaches are removed before the turtle nesting season begins. The authorities may also keep these areas fenced to keep the beaches pristine and undisturbed during turtle nesting season which starts in November -December and continues upto March-April,” the NGT said.
“Based on an earlier petition the NGT had directed to take action against all such temporary structures or shacks or any other structure found erected after 19.02.1991 in the NDZ area along the beaches of Morjim, Mandrem, Galgibaga and Agonda that did not have specific permission from the GCZMA.”
Based on the NGT’s orders a three Member Committee comprising of the Deputy Conservator of Wildlife, Goa Member Secretary, Goa State Pollution Control Board and Member Secretary, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority submitted a report with regard to the unauthorised constructions and the GCZMA passed orders for demolition of the structures which were found to be unauthorised and to pay a penalty of Rs 1 lakh.
