PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has issued notices to the Forest Department and the three Comunidades following allegations of large-scale landfilling of khazan lands in Merces. The Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes appointed Adv Nigel Da Costa Frias as Amicus Curiae in the Public Interest Litigation (Writ Petition) filed against the State government and nine others.
Petitioner Kashinath Shetye alleged that large-scale filling of khazan lands was reported in seven survey numbers belonging to Comunidades of Morombi-o-pequeno, Morombi-o-grande and Murda, which led to massive degradation of mangroves. “Despite complaints to the Forest Department, Collector of North Goa, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and the Village Panchayat of Merces, no proper action has been taken by these authorities for this environmental degradation,” the petition states. While allowing the addition of Forest Department and the three Comunidade as party respondents, the Bench issued notices returnable on July 16.
During the hearing, Additional Government Advocate Deep Shirodkar sought time to take instructions on the action taken by the Forest department while also assuring the Court to file a report by the next date of hearing.
The Bench thereafter urged Da Costa Frias to assist the Court as Amicus Curiae while further appointing Advocate Shane Coutinho to assist him in the matter.
