Canacona :Violation of Coastal regulation Zone (CRZ) is continued in the tiny State of Goa despite being labeled as toppers of violations in entire Country. These violations are happening under the nose of dozens of State authorities which are existing in every coastal talukas.
Agonda is a small village in Canacona having a small coastline that is sufficient for the villagers to promote the tourism business during the tourist season. But this small coastline has bigger violations of the CRZ.
Unfortunately, villagers as well as the officials of the Panchayat doesn’t know about the gross violations of the CRZ. The beach side restaurants, shacks, cottages and temporary resorts are still operational in the monsoons despite of having clear conditions to close its operation by May 31 and dismantle the structures and pack it by June 10.
The thorough check on the online platforms of bookings have revealed that over dozens of such properties are still operating and taking the bookings of stays. All these properties are operational violating the CRZ rules of this State.
When contacted Prettal Fernandes, Sarpanch of village Panchayat Agonda, she said that Panchayat has no role in this matter while CRZ has to look into it.
Madam Sarpanch must be not aware of the licenses issued by her own Panchayat and its condition which all talks of the rules and condition. Panchayat also takes the security deposits from the applicant in case if the structure is not dismantled before June 10, then panchayat will demolish it using the security deposits.
Unfortunately, the alleged nexus between the Panchayat and the “Offender lords” taking the environment, ecology and biodiversity at the task.
Interestingly, Agonda beach has recorded four times more turtle nests than the turtle nesting site in Galjibag-Canacona this year. While it was the same trend observed last year hatching more number of eggs in Agonda comparatively.
Wildlife officials has informed GNH that the for the last three consecutive years, Olive Ridley turtles hatching has increased than the Galjibaga because of its habitat.
Pictures taken by this representative are very clear that how the structures are wrapped in plastic in front of the shore challenging the CRZ norms.
Goa having a very small coastline accounting over 50 % of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations in the country, out of 1878 violations reports for past five years in the country, 974 violations were in Goa.
Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has asked the States and UTs to adopt SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to deal with cases of CRZ violations and it was also directed to all State Coastal Zone Management Authorities to take prompt action on issues related to violation as per powers delegated under EPA 1986.
