the goan I network
MARGAO
Saying that the Colva village panchayat, it appears, is not discharging its duties in relation to the Colva beach and its precincts, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the panchayat to refrain from issuing permissions for beach shacks unless they are satisfied that suitable arrangements have been made by the applicants to collect and dispose the garbage generated by their establishments, besides arrangements for treatment and disposal
of sewage.
In this respect, a High Court bench comprising of Justice M S Sonak and Justice Nutan Sardesai directed the village panchayat to provide adequate number of garbage bins/receptacles which
are required to be cleared periodically.
In an order passed recently, the High Court further directed the Panchayat to also take immediate action against instances of disposal of garbage or other solid waste in a non-scientific manner, particularly, the burning of garbage and other waste on the beach. Police authorities must also cooperate with the panchayat to ensure that such instances are not repeated, the bench directed.
Directions were also issued to the panchayat to erect sign boards on the Colva and Sernabatim beaches in English, Konkani and Hindi languages making it clear that there has to be no dumping or burning of garbage on the beach and that strict action will be taken. The panchayat was also told to ensure that the storm water drains leading to the Colva creek are regularly maintained and cleaned before the onset of monsoons.
Disposing of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum represented by Secretary Judith Almeida seeking several reliefs in relation to a host of environmental/civic issues in relation to the Colva beach and its precincts, the High Court further directed the Tourism Department to ensure that regular clean up drives are undertaken on the Colva and Sernabatim
beaches.
Directions were also issued to the Goa State Pollution Control Board to carry out periodic inspections and testing of the water from Colva creek to monitor pollution levels.
“We direct the concerned respondents to file a compliance report in this Court latest by 31.03.2020 after service of advance copy upon
the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners,” Justice Sonak and Justice Sardesai said.
The Court made it clear that though several directions have been issued to the concerned respondents in this petition, directions have been issued to Director of Tourism to get the departments ensure compliance, saying it shall be the duty of the Director of Tourism to coordinate with all other agencies to ensure compliance of the order.
