Panaji: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has calculated Rs 2 crore as environmental compensation to be paid by a resort in Candolim for illegally creating a club no-development zone in the CRZ. In this case, a writ petition was filed in the High Court, on the basis of which the court asked him GCZMA To assess the damage caused by illegal construction.
Accordingly, the GCZMA stated that it has conducted a study on environmental compensation for coastal damage, working out a formula to calculate the amount to be recovered from violators.
“Keeping in view that the respondent (violator) has committed the violation in the no-development zone area, thereby destroying the ecology and biodiversity of the area, the Authority has awarded environmental compensation for the violation by using the formula ‘Rs. 2,590 per square meter of years x area in square meter’, which is Rs 2,04,19,560,” the GCZMA said.
Violations stood ashore for three years, six months
In addition, the GCZMA has also asked the Deputy Collector at Mapusa to estimate the cost required to demolish the illegal structure.
The breach was found standing on the coast for three years and six months in an area of 2,190 square metres.
Asking the GCZMA to estimate the damages in its order dated April 19, 2022, the High Court said, “The GCZMA must also estimate the damages that such illegal constructions cause to the environment in monetary terms, though we Be aware that such loss cannot be fully compensated in monetary terms alone.”
Earlier, resort owners had appealed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the demolition orders. But the Tribunal refused to consider the application.
The tribunal said that the directions of the High Court on such constructions have to be implemented and cannot be considered for review by the NGT. “We are unable to accept submissions. The matter was duly considered earlier and cannot be allowed to be heard again in review. The construction has been found to be in violation of the CRZ notification. Accordingly, the review application is dismissed,” the NGT said.
Accordingly, the GCZMA stated that it has conducted a study on environmental compensation for coastal damage, working out a formula to calculate the amount to be recovered from violators.
“Keeping in view that the respondent (violator) has committed the violation in the no-development zone area, thereby destroying the ecology and biodiversity of the area, the Authority has awarded environmental compensation for the violation by using the formula ‘Rs. 2,590 per square meter of years x area in square meter’, which is Rs 2,04,19,560,” the GCZMA said.
Violations stood ashore for three years, six months
In addition, the GCZMA has also asked the Deputy Collector at Mapusa to estimate the cost required to demolish the illegal structure.
The breach was found standing on the coast for three years and six months in an area of 2,190 square metres.
Asking the GCZMA to estimate the damages in its order dated April 19, 2022, the High Court said, “The GCZMA must also estimate the damages that such illegal constructions cause to the environment in monetary terms, though we Be aware that such loss cannot be fully compensated in monetary terms alone.”
Earlier, resort owners had appealed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the demolition orders. But the Tribunal refused to consider the application.
The tribunal said that the directions of the High Court on such constructions have to be implemented and cannot be considered for review by the NGT. “We are unable to accept submissions. The matter was duly considered earlier and cannot be allowed to be heard again in review. The construction has been found to be in violation of the CRZ notification. Accordingly, the review application is dismissed,” the NGT said.