Goa govt to act tough against CRZ violators

Panaji, July 18 (UNI) Taking serious note of coastal zone regulation (CRZ) violations in the tourist state, Goa government has decided to act tough against the delinquents.

According to a survey conducted by a Hyderabad-based company, as many as 2,000 illegal structures and dwellings were detected along the coastline, and another 1,000 along the riverside, under the no development zone.

Apart from this, many unauthorised fishing jetties had also come up along the coast, particularly at Agassim, which needed to be demolished after serving notices to the owners, official sources said today.

Chief Secretary J P Singh, who reviewed the situation as chairman of the state Coastal Zone Management Authority yesterday, said the government would submit the survey report to the Bombay High Court bench in Goa soon in compliance with its directive.

It might be recalled that several NGOs had been raising a hue and cry against the encroachments along the coast and rivers in violation of the regulations, posing a threat to the fragile ecology and environment.

UNI BM SR PK KN1635