PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed authorities to take steps for clearing and restoring sites in Candolim where alleged illegal constructions were carried out.
In a public interest litigation filed by the Calangute Constituency Forum, the Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar also allowed the addition of the Goa Biodiversity Board as a respondent in the matter.
The court noted that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had passed orders concerning sites at Survey Nos. 114/1, 112/1 and 124/1-B in Candolim, where constructions were undertaken by respondents.
The petitioners sought enforcement of GCZMA’s directions, including demolition of structures, clearing of debris and restoration of the land to its original condition.
For one of the sites, the GCZMA submitted an inspection report highlighting the need to remove debris, construction material and barriers, followed by replanting of suitable flora. The court directed the authority to estimate the cost of site clearance, while the Biodiversity Board has been tasked with assessing restoration measures and associated costs.
In another case, the court observed that only partial clearance had been carried out and further restoration work remained pending. Similar directions were issued for cost estimation and restoration planning.
Regarding the third site, the respondent, through counsel, undertook to clear all debris by April 20. The court recorded the undertaking and directed that post-clearance, inspections be conducted by GCZMA and the Biodiversity Board to suggest further restoration steps. The matter has been posted for compliance on April 22, 2026.
