Justice Tarun Gogoi, speaking for the Supreme Court, yesterday (22.9.2014) allowed a bunch of appeals filed by parties like the owners of Hotel Goan Heritage and Majorda Beach Resort challenging the (part) demolition orders issued against their hotels on the grounds that these had been erected in the 200 metre (from the High Tide Line) no-development zone in violation of the coastal guidelines which did not allow such constructions. The orders for demolition had been issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The Goa Foundation had filed writ petitions for carrying out the demolitions. The Bombay High Court, Panaji bench, speaking through Justice Ferdinho Rebello, had upheld the MOEFs orders and ordered demolition of the offending constructions. The affected hotel owners went in appeal. The original writ petitions challenging the legality of these hotels etc were filed by the Goa Foundation in the year 1989! The Bombay High Court order came in 1998. The appeals were filed in 2001. The SC order rejecting the Bombay High Court judgement has come in 2014. The Goa Foundation spent 25 years pursuing these cases. Naturally, the damage to the beaches these petitions were filed to prevent is now visible all across the coast. 25 years is just too long a period to keep such environmental issues pending for decision. Though these petitions did ensure that the entire coast of Goa did not turn into a concrete jungle, they were unable to stem the general tide of coastal degradation. From Querim in the north, to Polem in the south, to Betalbatim, Coloma, Velsao and even Baina, sea level rise is a grim reality, made all the worse by removal of the sand dunes by those who constructed such resorts. Even the Taj Holiday village lost its beach frontage due to phenomenal sea ingress a couple of years ago. What the law seems disinclined to cure, the sea is now ready to dispose. For those who wish to read the order: https://dl.dropboxusercontent/u/6179856/Gulf%20Goans%20SC%2022.9.2014.pdf
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:58:21 +0000
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