MARGAO
An inspection team comprising of officials of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Tourism besides GCZMA descended along the Colva-Sernabatim beach stretch for inspection of bore wells, septic tanks, soak pits, if any, sunk or installed in the No Development Zone (NDZ) and other areas under the CRZ notification.
The inspection was ordered after local NGO, the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum petitioned to the Goa State Pollution Control Board and other authorities to inspect the NDZ areas of Colva and Sernabatim as per the High Court order in the Public Interest Litigation writ petition No 44/2022.
Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Secretary Judith Almeida, who accompanied the inspection team, pointed out that the team has unearthed a number of violations, which are being compiled by the team. She said the inspection team will return back on the Colva-Sernabatim beach stretch next week to complete the inspection. Saying that the Water Resources Department (WRD) officials were not part of the inspection, Judith informed that the Consumer Forum will write to the authorities to also involve the WRD officials at the next round of inspection.
The inspection was apparently conducted with regard to the implementation of Para 75A-E of the High Court order in the PIL 44/2022 dated June 26, 2023.
Para 75 A-E of the High Court order pertains to the sinking of bore wells on coastal stretches/beaches in NDZ and other areas under CRZ Notification and scheduled areas under the Groundwater Act, which the order stated is prohibited. The Ground Water officers and the GCZMA must ensure that no bore wells are sunk, or groundwater is extracted from such areas in Goa. The directions for survey, inspection, sealing, dismantling and prosecution in paragraphs 14, 15, 32, 43 and 44 are reiterated.
The order further stated that installing septic tanks, soak pits, and garbage pits on coastal stretches/beaches in NDZ and other areas under CRZ Notification and scheduled areas under the Ground Water Act is prohibited. The Respondents must prevent or remove such installations immediately. The directions for a survey, revocation of shack allotments, prosecution etc., in paragraphs 48,49 and 52 are reiterated.
The Court had further stated that the directions and undertakings furnished in PILWP No.40/2018 concerning the decongestion and placing of beach chairs and deck beds on the said stretch are reiterated. “Further, we direct that such directions about decongestion, mainly at the entry points, would apply to all the coastal beaches in the State of Goa. The Tourism Director must ensure compliance. The directions in paragraphs 56 and 57 are reiterated”, the High Court stated, while reiterating the direction about constituting of flying squads.
