Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Supreme Court of India, allowed an appeal filed by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) against a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that had directed the removal of all structures connected with the Baina Beach beautification project and restoration of the area to its natural sandy state.
The appeals were filed against Rajabhau Lahanu Pawar (Civil Appeal No. 8250/2022) and the Goa Foundation (Civil Appeal No. 8312/2022), with the Foundation being represented by a senior advocate.
The Goa Foundation had originally approached the NGT, arguing that the project constructions were coming up on the sandy portion of the beach between the existing road and the high tide line, affecting sand dunes and harming the natural character of the beach.
While the GCZMA had granted approvals for the project on paper—claiming it did not violate CRZ regulations—the constructions on site extended into the sandy stretch between the retaining wall and the high tide line.
The Supreme Court observed that the NGT had not clearly addressed the categorization of the affected area. According to the CZMP for Vasco, the site is CRZ II, whereas the NGT had treated it as CRZ I without detailed reasoning.
On this basis, the Court allowed the GTDC appeal but retained the existing stay on the project, in effect since 2014, and directed the NGT to hear the parties afresh on November 3, 2025.
The judgment underscores the importance of accurate CRZ classification and detailed reasoning in environmental project approvals, while allowing the project authority another opportunity to present its case before the NGT.
