Tourism dept seeks action over illegal sand extraction at Varca

Panaji: The tourism department took serious note of unauthorised sand extraction and alteration of natural dunes using an excavator along Varca beach.Tourism director Kedar Naik stated that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Colva police have been instructed to initiate legal action against those who extracted sand from the beach.The tourism department forwarded the video from Wednesday to the GCZMA and police, which shows an excavator moving sand on Varca beach, violating the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) notification issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act, 2001.“The department took serious cognisance of a recent incident involving illegal activities along the Varca beach stretch, which is a clear violation of environmental norms. Any activity detrimental to the environment, especially in sensitive coastal zones, will not be tolerated. Strict action will be pursued in accordance with the law,” said Naik.