MAPUSA
The sudden decision of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to conduct a re-inspection of an illegal beach club in Candolim has raised more questions than answers.
Last year, the GCZMA had declared the construction of the Barrel Yan Tree Beach Club on the Candolim beach illegal and directed the deputy collector of Bardez to demolish the construction.
After nearly a year, the GCZMA has suddenly issued a notice to conduct re-inspection of the beach club on the request of the club’s management.
The coastal authority states that it has received a letter from the management of the beach club that it has compiled with the directions issued by the authority pertaining to the demolition.
However, one of the complainants in the matter, the Calangute Constituency Forum said that the management has failed to carry out full demolition of the illegal constructions and were trying to exert pressure on the coastal authority so that they can re-start their business.
The GCZMA in its earlier order had said the Barrel Yan Tree Beach Club had constructed its structures right on the beach at Vaddy, Candolim and was involved in transgressions causing major damage to the environment.
The coastal authority found that the beach club was involved in illegal construction of a swimming pool, a restaurant, steps in front of the restaurant stage and washrooms with decks on the beach.
The GCZMA had also said that the illegal construction was done by using laterite stones by destroying the beach, sand dunes and beach vegetation.
“The club management has only demolished a shack-like temporary structure on the beach. They have covered the swimming pool on the beach with red mud instead of sand which will cause great damage to the coastal environment and the beach,” said Premanand Diukar of the CCF.
He said the entire re-inspection of the club premises was without merit and appeared hollow clearly indicating a game of fixing.
He further said that instead of imposing heavy fines on the illegal construction and destruction of beach environment under the Environment Protection Act 1984, the GCZMA appeared to be cozying up to the perpetrators of the crime.
“We suspect the GCZMA authorities are not acting as per the law and some expert members are filing wrong reports favouring illegal activities within NDZ area giving a good space to the developer to carry out their illegal business,” Diukar said.
He said the CCF will have no alternative but knock the doors of the court in the matter.
