The High Court’s suo motu action against illegal constructions in Goa’s No Development Zones, CRZ, and public areas is commendable and long overdue. Such action is essential to curb the rampant flouting of environmental and public safety norms, especially where authorities are accused of ignoring or even endorsing these illegalities. It’s widely observed that questionable legislative amendments allow for zone changes at a price, undermining environmental and land-use regulations. This has prompted public protests across Goa, yet the government appears unresponsive, prioritising vested interests over citizens’ welfare.
The High Court rightly warns that without deterrent action, Goa’s landscapes face haphazard development that disregards planning standards. Alarmingly, politicians allegedly support illegal activities, including unauthorised tree felling, damaging the environment with little regard for public consequences. Disasters like those in Wayanad, which suffered massive destruction and loss of life, seem to have taught no lesson here, as leaders focus on potential gains from continued exploitation.
Citizens are left with no recourse other than costly court battles to address these issues, with the judiciary proving to be receptive to their grievances. This troubling dynamic, where people must fight against the government’s neglect of legal protections, underscores a breakdown in governance. While it’s unlikely the government will respond to these demands, the High Court’s intervention offers hope for imposing some order. Without this, Goa’s future risks degradation.
