Panaji: Based on National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, the Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) has issued demolition orders to four of nine illegal jetties identified by the captain of ports along the Britona to Ecoxim stretch.The nine jetties were found operating in the Mandovi in CRZ areas of tidally-influenced waterbodies. The GCZMA accordingly carried out a site inspection and some of the temporary floating pontoon jetties were found operating in the CRZ-III area in the river’s no development zone and in intertidal zone CRZ-1B.In the case of Champion Jetty by Champion Yacht Club, though the jetty was not functional at the time of inspection, vessels were found parked in illegally constructed ground structure.Notices were issued to violators and the deputy collector was directed to seal the jetty. At its recent meeting, the authority noted that the respondent does not have any approvals to prove that the structures erected are legal. The authority therefore directed to remove all the violations within 30 days, failing which the respective deputy collector would have to execute the same.An applicant had approached the tribunal over nine jetties carrying out commercial activities. The appellant said that such commercial activities are impermissible under CRZ norms and argued that some jetties are in proximity to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, which is a notified eco-sensitive zone. Therefore, these kinds of commercial activities cannot be permitted, said the tribunal.In Jan, the NGT had directed the GCZMA to ensure that all nine jetties would no longer be allowed to operate until they obtained valid permissions. In response to this direction, an affidavit was required to be filed by the GCZMA indicating the jetties that have been sealed and those that have valid permissions to operate.Jubert Jetty and Salis Jetty were found to have a temporary L-shaped floating pontoon jetty during inspection, and were also directed to demolish the jetty within 30 days.Funcruise Jetty was also found to be operating a temporary floating T-shaped jetty of floating pontoons. The authority noted that as per site inspection report, there were still certain metal pathways to be removed, which the respondent undertook to remove. The authority noted that the respondent does not have any approvals to prove the jetty is legal.Another Dharma jetty was also found to be operational at the time of inspection with a temporary floating T-shaped jetty of floating pontoons with MS tube entrance. The violator said that the demolition has been carried out and they have complied to the order already.Proceedings against other ones like Oceanaire Jetty and Oceanary Jetty are presently on.
