Staff Reporter
Vasco
In a win for the people of Chicalim and environmental activists, the Captain of Ports (CoP) Department has begun restoring nearly 4,000 sqm of jetty land in Chicalim that was illegally reclaimed.
The land, reclaimed by M/s Abhishek Engineers Pvt Ltd, is being reverted to its original condition following a prolonged 15-year struggle led by the Chicalim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC).
On Wednesday, a joint inspection was conducted by officials from CoP, GCZMA, Goa State Biodiversity Board, Department of Rural Development (DRDA) South, and local stakeholders, including Fernandes and CVAC general secretary Rui M Da Costa Araujo, to assess the progress of the restoration.
“The hard-fought battle has finally borne fruit. It is a sweet victory for justice,” Araujo said.
Meanwhile, Chicalim Panchayat has suspended the trade licence of Abhishek Engineers for illegally reclaiming land from the Zuari River at Chicalim Bay. The suspension order, issued on March 4 after the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) directive, will remain in effect until CoP certifies that the restoration work has been satisfactorily completed.
Fernandes welcomed the panchayat’s move, calling it a strong message against illegal land reclamation and a step toward sustainable development.
In 2015, GCZMA had directed Abhishek Engineers to reverse the land reclamation. Abhishek Engineers had challenged the order before NGT.
NGT had dismissed the company’s petition and upheld GCZMA order, but the matter was subsequently challenged before the Supreme Court.
The apex court refrained from interfering with the GCZMA and NGT orders.
GCZMA had asked CoP to execute the restoration of the river bed in consultation with Goa State Biodiversity Board at the cost of Abhishek Engineers.
NGT had directed Abhishek Engineers to deposit Rs 17.9 lakh with CoP to restore the area.
