Due to GCZMAs indifference, entire North Goa coastal belt is destroyed, claims Biotech and Environment expert

PANAJI: Former Professor of Microbiology, Environmental Studies and Biotechnology at the Goa University, Dr Joe D’souza today claimed that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and other concerned departments are responsible for the destruction of the Goan coastline, its biodiversity and aquatic flora and fauna in the Northern belt.

Speaking exclusively to this reporter on phone from his residence at Panaji, Dr D’souza alleged that the GCZMA has turned a blind eye to illegal constructions on the beaches and in CRZ (coastal regulation zone) locales in the Candolim, Calangute, Vagator and Anjuna coastal belt.

“More than 200 to 300 illegal hotels and constructions have sprung up in these coastal zones in the last 10 years. The entire Candolim, Calangute and Vagator-Anjuna area is dotted with illegal constructions. The authorities including the Panchayats of the concerned villages are only interested in filling their pockets. While our former Prime Minister, the late Rajiv Gandhi wanted to give power to the people, so that they could do good for the villages, the current lot of local body representatives in Goa are doing good only for themselves, enriching their families, and destroying the environment in the bargain,” Dr D’souza alleged.

Coming down heavily on illegal constructions in the Calangute-Candolim NDZ (no development zones), Dr D’szoua said the GCZMA does not take any action, sits on complaints made by residents and finally in desperation, Goans are forced to go to the NGT (National Green Tribunal).

Referring to the alleged illegal construction of the Captain of Ports structure in the Mandovi river, Dr D’souza said the illegal structure, along with the anchored Casino boats have destroyed the aquatic life and biodiversity of the Mandovi river.

Be it the Rajiv Arora-constructed illegal restaurant structure on Calangute beach, Mika Singh’s bungalow on Anjuna beach or other structures in Nerul and on the banks of the Orda river or even near water bodies and on hilly terrain in Arpora and Parra villages, the GCZMA has gone blind and deaf. No action is taken, in spite of several written complaints by residents, Dr D’souza stated.

Parra social worker and former ward member of the Parra Panchayat, Benedict D’souza agreed with Dr D’souza, citing several cases of land filling and hill cutting in the Parra-Arpora belt.

“Several lands including private forests, hilling terrain and local wetland zones have been sold to the builder lobby and land mafia, who in turn bribe the Panchayats to turn a blind eye to illegal acts like hill cutting and land filling,” Benedict said, adding that huge money is involved.

Calangute Youth leader Nashville Earl D’souza squarely blamed the Calangute and Candolim Panchayats for the damage to the environment. “What are the ward members doing? Aren’t they aware of what is going on in their wards. It is only after blatant violations are high-lighted in the media that the Panchayat responds with a statutory notice, after all the damage is done,” Nashville claimed.

According to media reports, a few years ago, a large tract of cultivable land measuring around 8,000 sqm at Orda, Candolim, in close proximity to the Nerul river, was reclaimed, against all laws of the land.

Locals alleged that the panchayat and other authorities including the GCZMA maintained a stoic silence, even as truckloads of mud were dumped indiscriminately.

“This is a blatant illegality. The paddy fields and biodiversity destroyed, and it is baffling that the authorities did not choose to act against this violation,” Fatima Dias, a villager was quoted by the Times of India.

A small mud road was built for trucks to transport the mud to the site. A part of the reclaimed area was barricaded with tarpaulin sheets, but there is no information board displayed to indicate the project details.

The rampant land-filling activity at Orda in survey number 59/3, where an excavator was scooping mud and levelling the field, was again ignored by the concerned authorities, in spite of several complaints by residents.

Similarly, the reclaiming of low-lying land in the vicinity of the Orda river at Candolim where a bungalow was built on reclaimed land, on the banks of the river by filling up the banks of the river and destroying mangroves in a NDZ, was never taken up by the GCZMA, Dr D’souza claimed.