First report
Members
* Expert Member led by Expert Member Mahesh Patil, Devendra Gaonkar(field Surveyor), Gajanan Karkare (executive vice president) and Devendra Dhuri (Sr Prject Manager).
Report
* The representative of Fomento Resorts and Hotels submitted at copy of CRZ approval granted for repairs
* That the work is carried out in phases as per the design prepared in consultation with WRD
* The work is carried out as per the approval granted.
Second report
Members
Savio Joaquim Filipe Correia and Sujeet Kumar Dongre
Report
* M/s. Fomento Hotels has violated the conditions imposed by the Authority. Cement concrete has been used as against eco-friendly material.
* Moreover, cement concrete structures are prohibited on the beach, that too within the inter-tidal zone CRZ IB), that is a highly ecologically fragile area.
* The ongoing linear wall construction is a new work, and not “repairs” as permitted under the NOC.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
PANAJI: The Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has decided to form a three member committee to look into the alleged violations at Vaingunim Beach by a Corporate company.
On Thursday, the GCZMAheld its hearing on the issue and found that the inspection report submitted by two expert members teams were inconclusive.
While one team led by Expert Member said that there were no violations as the construction is done as per the approvals granted by the authorities while the second report submitted by the Savio Correia team said there were gross violations.
“Since the reports were inconclusive, it has been decided to form three member committee of representative of Collector North, DSLR and the Water Resources Department,” sources said.
The Inspection reports
The GCZMA in a show cause notice to the Fomento has said that it had received a complaint from Bhanu Shirdokar resident of Nagali Taleigao; and the office has also received a Complaint from Vainguinim Valley Residents Association with regards to alleged illegal construction & development being carried out within the CRZ & NDZ by the Owners/ management of Fomento Resorts, Cidade de Goa Resort at the Vainguinim Beach, Dona Paula; reagarding alleged violations on the Vainguinim beach.
Upon receipt of the Complaint the GCZMA carried out a site Inspection, and a report of the Site Inspection was submitted.
The first site inspection report was submitted on 20/04/2021by the team of Expert Member led by Expert Member Mahesh Patil, Devendra Gaonkar(field Surveyor), Gajanan Karkare (executive vice president) and Devendra Dhuri (Sr Prject Manager).
It was stated that “the representative of Fomento Resorts and Hotels submitted at copy of CRZ approval granted for repairs & that the work is carried out in phases as per the design prepared in consultation with WRD and the work is carried out as per the approval granted.”
However, the complainants alleged that the site inspection carried out on 2004/2021 was in their absence & hence they pleaded for a fresh site inspection which was carried out on 23/04/2021.
The second site inspection by Site Inspection Report by Savio Joaquim Filipe Correia and Sujeet Kumar Dongre, which alleged illegal construction resulting in blatant and serious violation of CRZ Notification 2011 is observed. The details of the violations are indicated here
“M/s. Fomento Hotels has violated the conditions imposed by the Authority. Cement concrete has been used as against eco-friendly material. Moreover, cement concrete structures are prohibited on the beach, that too within the inter-tidal zone CRZ IB), that is a highly ecologically fragile area,” the report said.
It said the ongoing linear wall construction is a new work, and not “repairs” as permitted under the NOC.
Gross violations?
The GCZMA said that as per the CRZ Notification, 2011; the entire belt of 100 mts. from the High Tide Line (HTL) of river and 200mts. from the HTL from the sea is designated as the No Development Zone(NDZ) and hence no construction/development whatsoever are permissible in the said belt;
The GCZMA said the alleged illegal construction is highly detrimental to the Coastal ecosystem / riverine ecosystem.
Further, the GCZMA Member Secretary Johnsson Fernandes said, it is observed that the company has not obtained any prior approval of the GCZMA for the purpose of alleged construction as required under the CRZ Notification 1991/2011.