Judgment of the National Green Tribunal regarding construction on Khazan lands, Cavelossim village, Goa, 03/07/2023
The National Green Tribunal set aside the order passed by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) dated June 15, 2022 whereby GCZMA had dismissed the proceedings against Bina Bedi and Gurudeep Singh Bedi which was filed by two residents of Cavelossim village for carrying out illegal construction and illegal filling of eco-sensitive, low-lying khazan lands in Cavelossim village, Salcete taluka.
The tribunal directed the GCZMA order to be set aside and directed GCZMA to look into the matter afresh.
GCZMA was ordered to hear both sides of the case and then the authority should "determine the area which according to their own admission is found to be lying in khazan land". An appropriate order needs to be passed with respect to the matter within a period of two months, the judgment of the NGT said.
According to ActforGoa, Khazans are coastal wetlands of Goa. They were reclaimed from mangrove forests, probably in the pre-Christian era by an intricate system of dykes, sluice gates and canals and put to multiple productive uses such as agriculture, aquaculture and salt panning.