Panaji: In a major relief to hundreds of beach shack owners, the Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday allowed Goa government to give temporary licences for the structures, over ruling the order of National Greeen Tribunal.
The Division bench of the Court comprising Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Mahesh Sonak gave the order asking the State government to finalise Goa Coastal Zone Management Plan as soon as possible.
The NGT last month had stalled allocation of beach shacks in the State in absence of Coastal Zone management plan.
The court observed that the tourist season having commenced in the state of Goa and keeping in view the large employment generated, we dispose of the petition staying the operation of the NGT order to the State of Goa.
“We permit the state to implement the shack policy 2019-22. We would request the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to finalise for the state of Goa the Coastal Zone Management Plan as soon as possible and preferably by the date specified by the NGT,” the court added.
The division bench ordered that the shacks have existed in Goa since long, and there is no evidence of adverse impact on the environment on account of the shacks. The shacks are erected with eco-friendly material such as wood, bamboo and palm leaves.
