NGO demands restoration through eco-friendly methods
MAPUSA
The Goa Green Brigade has condemned the involvement of the state’s Tourism Department and Tourism Minister in what it described as a “green washing” attempt to cover up environmental violations committed by a resort at Bambolim beach.
The NGO accused the Tourism Director and Minister of exceeding their jurisdiction by directing the resort to remove construction debris from the beach – an area falling under the highly eco-sensitive Coastal Regulation Zone I (CRZ-I).
“We deplore the attempts by Goa’s Tourism Director and Minister to assist the violator in removing the debris, knowing well they have no authority in CRZ-I,” said Avertino Miranda, Convenor of the Goa Green Brigade.
He further warned that any move to deploy heavy earth-moving equipment to the site again will be firmly resisted by the NGO and Bambolim residents. “The use of such machinery has already damaged breeding grounds of beach crabs and Window Pane Oysters,” Miranda said.
Highlighting the Tourism Department’s previous reprimands by the High Court for activities in ecologically sensitive zones, the NGO criticized its interference in an ongoing matter already under the purview of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
The GCZMA has issued a stop-work order and set April 23 as the hearing date.
Despite this, the NGO alleged that the violator hotelier made a fresh attempt on April 18 to reintroduce heavy machinery to the site.
The move was blocked by local residents, led by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar.
The Green Brigade has demanded the withdrawal of the Tourism Department’s directive and called for the involvement of environmental restoration experts to rehabilitate the beach using eco-friendly methods. “The only way forward is scientific restoration, not further damage under the guise of cleanup,” Miranda added.
