Naroa 'illegal' construction gets stop-work order (ToI)

Naroa 'illegal' construction gets stop-work order TNN | Jul 30, 2013, 05.29 AM IST PANAJI: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) issued a stop-work order to an alleged illegal construction at a proposed shipyard on the banks of the River Mandovi at Tottevado, Naroa. The stop-work order has been issued under Section 5 of the Environment (protection) Act, 1986, (Central Act of 1986) read with sub-rule (3) (a) of rule 4 of the Environment (protection) Rules 1986. The GCZMA order also sought to know why a show-cause notice should not be issued to Sea Scan Marine Services Private Limited directing the company to restore the land to its original condition. GCZMA member secretary Levinson Martins directed the company to file its reply and produce approvals, if any, issued by the authorities concerned along with an approved plan before August 2. "If you (company) fail to submit your reply along with the required documents, the GCZMA will come to the conclusion that you have no justification and the authority shall proceed to issue final directions without any further notice," the order stated. The order was issued upon the receipt of a report from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on July 11 wherein it was observed that construction of a shed was in progress within 30m from the river at Tottevado. The report also stated that land development and landfilling was being carried out by cutting trees and mangroves. As per the CRZ notification 2011, the entire belt of 100m from the high tide line (HTL) of the river and 200m from the HTL from the sea is designated as a no-development zone and hence no construction or development whatsoever are permissible in the said belt. Martins said that as per the inspection report, prima facie, construction activity is highly detrimental to the riverine eco-system due to the destruction of coastal vegetation and alteration of the topography of the area, including the geological formation and pollution of land and water resources. Naroa village panchayat at Sunday's gram sabha decided to demolish the illegal structure at Tottevado. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Naroa-illegal-construction-gets-stop-work-order/articleshow/21474384.cms