MAPUSA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has launched an investigation into allegations of an unauthorised construction on the beach at Dando, Candolim.
Acting on a complaint filed by the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF), a team of officials conducted a site inspection on Monday to assess the alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
The CCF has raised serious concerns over what they claim to be an illegal concrete structure coming up in CRZ 1A, a highly sensitive ecological area protected under environmental regulations.
The complaint specifically mentions the construction of at least 23 concrete columns on a property at Dando, Candolim, an act that is in direct violation of the CRZ notification and the Environment Protection Act (EPA).
According to Premanand Diukar, President of the CCF, the ongoing construction not only violates environmental norms but also poses a significant threat to the fragile coastal ecosystem.
The forum has strongly urged authorities to take immediate action by verifying the alleged violations, issuing a stop-work order, and initiating legal proceedings against the individuals responsible.
They have also called for the restoration of the damaged sand dunes to their original state in accordance with environmental regulations and the imposition of stringent penalties on the violators.
Responding to the complaint, a three-member team from GCZMA, comprising an engineer, an expert member, and a surveyor, visited the site on Monday.
The officials conducted a detailed inspection and prepared a panchanama (site report) to document their findings.
The findings from the inspection will be compiled into a report and submitted to the GCZMA for further action.
The authority is expected to review the report and take necessary steps, which may include issuing demolition orders or initiating legal proceedings against those responsible for the unauthorised construction.
