GCZMA told to issue orders to restore Merces mangroves

Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to issue directions for the restoration of mangroves where illegal landfilling was carried out in Merces.
The comunidade informed the court that landfilling was conducted without any permissions from the comunidade and that it is not responsible for any authorisation.
The high court also directed the comunidade to ensure that the illegal landfills are cleared and added that it is open to the comunidade recovering costs from those responsible for such illegal landfills. The HC called for status reports from the GCZMA and comunidade.
The high court also directed the PWD to take action expeditiously to remove a shed in the mangrove area after GCZMA issues its directions. Govt said the task force appointed by the court is in the process of mapping the entire area and the report is likely to be ready by Jan 1, 2025.
The high court in Aug observed “large-scale degradation and destruction of mangrove forests, khazan lands, salt pans and paddy fields” in Merces contiguous to the National Highway 66 between Panaji and Bambolim, requiring “urgent intervention” and constituted a task force to carry out a detailed survey and mapping of the lands by engaging surveyors and technical manpower.
The HC directed the task force to recover costs from occupants of the land where damage to the environment was found.
The division bench comprising Justices M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes directed the Merces panchayat, TCP, NGPDA, GCZMA, and GSPCB not to issue fresh approvals, licences, or NOCs for any construction of whatsoever nature within the lands in Murda, Morombi-o-Pequeno, Renavadi, and Morombi-o-Grande in Merces.
Kashinath Shetye and eight others filed a PIL complaining about the inaction of various authorities in stopping the destruction of and inaction in preserving the mangrove forests and khazan lands in the areas adjoining and contiguous to the NH 66, commencing at the Panaji Bus Station till the highway slopes upwards to Bambolim/Goa Medical College.