The alleged destruction of vegetation on the beach side at Tivaivaddo, Calangute.
MAPUSA
The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) has raised serious concerns regarding the destruction of the environment in the picturesque beach village of Calangute.
According to reports, a developer has been accused of clearing thick vegetation along the beach, allegedly in violation of the Environment Protection Act.
Local residents became alarmed when they observed labourers engaged in chopping down beach vegetation in survey no 159/3 at Tivaivaddo, Calangute. This activity prompted the CCF to take action, expressing grave concerns over the detrimental impact on the biodiversity and ecological balance of the coastal areas.
President of the CCF, Premanand Diukar, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "It is evident that these actions not only pose a direct threat to the biodiversity and ecological balance of our coastal areas but also undermine the efforts of the community to promote sustainability and protect our natural resources."
In a letter to the chief secretary and various other authorities, Diukar highlighted the potential consequences of the destruction of beach vegetation, including erosion, loss of wildlife habitat and diminished recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors.
The CCF also brought to light previous directives from the National Green Tribunal issued on February 4, 2016 and instructions from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) concerning the project proponent M/s Nameh Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd.
In response to the alarming situation, the CCF has called upon the authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the matter and hold those responsible for the destruction accountable for their actions.
Additionally, they urged authorities to implement measures to prevent further destruction of beach vegetation in the area and restore the damaged areas to their original state.
