Authority dismisses ‘protective bund’ claim involving 4207 sqm of land
MARGAO
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has issued an order for the removal of the encroachment from the riverine area of River Zuari and landfilling in Curtorim village aggregating around 4207 square metres.
GCZMA has further directed the party to restore the land to its original condition within a period of two months under the supervision of the Captain of Ports Department, Goa State Biodiversity Board and Expert Member GCZMA.
GCZMA Member Secretary Sachin Desai has said the cost incurred towards such supervision of the Captain of Ports, Goa State Biodiversity and Expert Member GCZMA should be borne by the party.
Directions have been issued to the Deputy Collector/ SDO of Salcete, Margao to check compliance with the directions. Further, the Dy Collector & SDO of Margao is required to submit a compliance report to the GCZMA within the next three days of expiry of the two months’ time period.
The GCZMA has issued the directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (Central Act 29 of 1986) read with sub-rule (3) (a) of Rule 4 of the Environment (Protection) Rules 1986.
The Authority found no merit in the submissions made by the party and documents on record in support of his case. The order stated that the Authority found no merit in the submission of the Respondent that the land in question is a protective bund.
The GCZMA issued the order upon a complaint received from Judith Almeida, Secretary of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum, on March 23, 2016 with regard to the alleged illegal construction and filling of water bodies in the two survey numbers in Curtorim village.
“Cumulatively the Google images on record, the letter of ISLR to the Captain of Ports and various inspection and joint inspection reports of Expert Members only fortify that there has been blatant encroachment of riverine area and landfilling of land in the two survey numbers of Curtorim village.
"The Office of Inspector of Survey and Land Records (Margao) in its map forwarded vide letter dated 23/02/2021 has clearly identified 4207.73 sq mts of landfilling/encroachment carried out by the Respondent which will require restoration work,” the order stated.
The order added: “The Authority opined that the Respondent has failed to prove his case and provide any justification through documents or otherwise for the said blatant encroachment of the riverine area of River Zuari and landfilling of land. The Authority observed that since the matter involved removal of filling and restoration of the riverine area of River Zuari and landfilling it would be prudent to direct the Respondent to carry out restoration work under the supervision of the Captain of Ports, Goa State Biodiversity and Expert Member GCZMA.”
