Citizens condemn ecology damage in North beach belt

Calangute: The

Calangute Constituency Citizens’ Forum

(CCCF) has condemned inaction by various government agencies against violators of environmental and other laws in the Calangute-Candolim coastal belt and adjoining areas of Anjuna.

CCCF president Premanand Divkar said there has been massive destruction of greenery and hill-cutting on the Sinquerim hill, roads have been proposed through forested areas in the outline development plan (ODP) on the Baga hill, besides other projects which will lead to permanent environmental damage.

“When we complain to the forest department, they come and carry out an inspection, but nothing is done afterwards, no action is taken. When we complain to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), they pass orders which are never implemented,” Divkar said, citing the example of sand dunes which had been flattened at Cobravaddo, Calangute to build an illegal road. “The GCZMA order is very clear. The sand dunes have to be restored, but even two years later nothing has been done,” he said. He alleged that authorities are not taking action because of pressure from influential quarters in the government which are only intent on “destructive development”.

Divkar also claimed that an illegal road has been built in the past few months from the Anjuna side of the Baga hill to gain access to the hilltop where developers have acquired a property. “This road was built by taking advantage of the lockdown and the Covid situation despite there being an order from the collector prohibiting any such activity in the land,” Divkar said.

Lawrence Silveira said the hills are rich in biodiversity and medicinal plants and herbs and therefore need to be conserved.