MARGAO
Officials of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Benaulim Panchayat conducted a joint inspection of a sand dune that was tampered with last year.
GCZMA official Ganesh Velip, Benaulim Sarpanch Xavier Pereira, and local residents conducted the inspection. An official of the Biodiversity Board also took pictures of the site.
The inspection was carried out to assess the ground reality and prepare a restoration plan for the damaged sand dune.
GCZMA Member Secretary Johnson Fernandes pointed out that a site inspection was carried out by an expert member of the Authority, during which it was observed that damage had indeed been caused to the sand dune.
Benaulim Sarpanch Xavier Fernandes said the panchayat had requested the GCZMA to conduct a joint inspection for the simple reason that the panchayat had not been informed of the inspection conducted a year ago. “The panchayat will not await the report of the joint inspection conducted on Monday. The last inspection had confirmed that the sand dune was tampered with by the owner,” the Sarpanch added.
