CRZ violators to be dealt with strongly: Govt

Panaji, July 31 (UNI) Goa Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of environment Dr Wilfred de Souza today said the authorities have been inquiring into as many as 338 cases of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violation in the State.

At the sametime, the Government is committed to take all measures to check coastal soil erosion or accretion, which are mostly a natural phenomena and not due to human interference.

Replying to a call attention motion notice of Agnelo Fernandes (Congress) and Laxmikant Parsekar (BJP), the Minister said Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, besides the local bodies, is competent to check the violations and empowered to act suitably according to law.

He also said efforts are underway to dismantle the merchant vessel 'River Princess' aground for about five years off Condolim beach in North Goa at the earliest, with the process set in motion.

Mr Fernandes, however, stated that illegal permission given for raising shacks along the coast line is one of the causes of the terrific soil erosion. The violations at most of the famous tourist beaches are going on unabated, he alleged.

Mr Parsekar said the Government did not know the names of 39 out of 300 odd violators it had pointed out and that several commercial complexes were coming up along the coast line without any hindrance.

All construction activities below the 500 metre high-tide line should not be allowed, according to the CRZ Act, 1991, framed under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

UNI BM GK SP RS1820