Notices issued to govt, concerned depts; matter to be heard on Jan 20
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notices to the State government and concerned departments in connection with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the demolition of alleged illegal constructions on Agonda Beach. The matter will be heard on January 20.
The petitioner, Advocate Aman Gupta, has drawn the Court’s attention to alleged large-scale illegal and unauthorised constructions including semi-permanent and permanent structures made of steel fabrication, brick, RCC, and mortar. He further stated the ongoing commercial operations on Agonda Beach are despite it being a designated turtle nesting zone within the ‘No Development Zone’ as per the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, which means it is a highly fragile and eco-sensitive area located within 200 meters of the high tide line.
“Under the provisions of CRZ Regulations, Agonda Beach is designated a turtle nesting site, protected under the wild life protection Act 1972. Unbridled development and construction activity is carried out, without any approvals or permissions, total disregard to the beach carrying capacity report and NGT’s orders which had passed an order regulating temporary structures along the beaches of Goa,” the PIL states.
Since no action was taken by the respondents including the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Village Panchayat of Agonda and the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, besides the State, the petitioner stated that he was compelled to file the PIL.
“The transgressions being patently offending to the fragile ecology of the region, is also a recipe for disaster as no safeguards have been taken and many of such structures are practically touching each other, without maintaining any requisite setbacks or easements. Any incident of fire is likely to engulf all the structures and cause unthinkable harm and injury to unsuspecting residents/ tourists/ visitors to these places,” Gupta stated, urging the Court to issue an order to seal and demolish the unauthorised structures after following due legal process. During the hearing on Wednesday, Adv Maria Correia, appearing for the respondents, informed the Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta that an inspection was carried out in Oct 2024, however she has no copy of the report. The High Court also agreed to add the Forest Department a party respondent.
