A citizen’s group from Calangute has complained to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) that beach vegetation is being illegally cleared by a private company at Khobra Vaddo in Calangute. The violation is taking place within 100 m of the high tide line and within the ‘no development zone’ of CRZ, destroying biodiversity and environment.
Based on this complaint, GCZMA began proceedings against the alleged violator and a show cause notice was issued. During the hearing, GCZMA member secretary brought to the notice of the authority that the High Court of Bombay at Goa had already taken suo motu cognizance of news reports about the violation. GCZMA feels that the matter should be settled at the earliest and carried out
a site inspection.
However at the hearing, the alleged violator raised objections to the inspection report stating that no expert member was present. This led GCZMA to order a fresh site inspection with the presence of an expert member of the authority. The Calangute Citizens’ Forum had also written to the deputy collector and Calangute police inspector about the cutting of beach vegetation. Villagers had said that vegetation is being cleared in broad daylight and even after numerous complaints the authorities are turning a blind eye to the violation
