NGT fines Goa government ₹1 cr for not acting against illegal structures

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had in February asked the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to take action against temporary structures constructed along the beaches without requisite permission from the GCZMA.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed ₹1-crore fine on the Goa government for failing to act against illegal structures built at beaches, which have been identified as nesting sites for sea turtles.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed ₹1-crore fine on the Goa government for failing to act against illegal structures built at beaches, which have been identified as nesting sites for sea turtles.(HT File Photo)

The amount has to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within a week, the green court said.

The tribunal had in February asked the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to take action against temporary structures constructed along the beaches without requisite permission from the GCZMA. The turtle nesting sites are monitored by the state forest department.

“We find that it [the report] is severely wanting in compliance of the directions issued. It is found to be nebulous and bereft of material particulars [and]… demonstrates gross non-compliance,” the NGT bench of justices S P Wangdi, K Ramakrishnan and Dr Nagin Nanda observed.

“This, in our view, is a sorry state of affairs. Considering the gross non-compliance of the directions calls for strict orders to be passed against the concerned. For its failure, the GCZMA shall deposit an interim environment compensation of ₹1 Crore to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within a period of 1 week,” the tribunal ruled. The NGT noted how these illegal structures had disturbed the turtle nesting sites, “destroying sand dunes and sand vegetation since October, 2013”.

“Commercial activities have been started without the permission of the GCZMA. The GCZMA is not performing its duty as a regulatory body to remedy the illegalities,” the NGT noted.

“The GCZMA shall also show cause as to why appropriate directions are not issued for instituting disciplinary proceedings against all those responsible for failing to act in terms of the direction of the Tribunal,” the order read.