Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding construction over sand dunes, Goa, 15/07/2022
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Western Zone Bench, Pune) in the matter of Paul Lobo & Others Vs Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority & Others dated 15/07/2022.
The matter related to construction undertaken by M/s. Nova Resorts Pvt. Ltd on sand dunes. The application was filed by Paul Lobo and three others appealing against the order of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) - whereby GCZMA decided to discharge proceedings pertaining to revocation of permission granted in favour of M/s. Nova Resorts Pvt. Ltd., October 20, 2015. GCZMA said that violations did not warrant revocation of permission.
The applicant submitted that a site inspection conducted, April 30, 2015 also found that the project was constructed on sand dunes. The entire coastal strip where the project was going on was found to be in a sand dune complex. The impugned order passed by the GCZMA itself admitted sand dunes being there on the spot and yet the permission for the project have not been revoked.
The NGT taking into consideration the submissions admitted the appeal and directed the respondents (Ms Nova Resorts Pvt Ltd., Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Water Resources Department and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) to file their reply affidavits within four weeks.