GCZMA flags illegal shacks and structures at Keri beach

Panaji: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has identified multiple violations at Keri beach in Pernem following an inspection carried out earlier this month.Acting on directives of the high court, GCZMA, along with officials from the tourism department and directorate of survey and land records, undertook a joint exercise to map and plot structures located along the beach The exercise aimed to verify compliance with coastal regulations and assess the extent of unauthorised activity.“Blatant and serious violations of the CRZ Notification 2011” were found on the beach.A temporary shack had been erected to run a paragliding business along with a cafe. In another case, a violator was found operating multiple structures functioning as restaurants and shacks, complete with toilet blocks, a septic tank, and even a footbridge constructed over a rivulet.Officials noted that many of these structures were located within 200 metres of the high tide line, falling inside the no-development zone under CRZ regulations.

Such activity is strictly prohibited, raising concerns over environmental impact and regulatory enforcement.Show-cause notices have already been issued to the violators. While the GCZMA inspection confirmed the violations, the owners denied operating kitchens and restaurants from the structures. During hearings before the authority, they stated that they would demolish any unauthorised portions if found, as per due process.

The hearings in the matter are ongoing.Meanwhile, the GCZMA is also examining a separate case of CRZ violations at Morjim beach in Pernem involving a contractor appointed by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). An inspection by the authority found that the contractor carried out work in breach of CRZ norms.The GCZMA observed that the corporation exceeded the scope of permission granted for beach beautification and creation of visitor amenities. Instead, sand dunes were found to have been cut and deep excavation undertaken at the site. Morjim beach is one of Goa’s four designated olive ridley turtle nesting sites, making the violations environmentally significant.The GTDC has attributed the violations to the contractor it had appointed. Hearings in this matter are also currently under way.