Staff Reporter
Panaji
Satellite imagery reports will be chargeable while fees for sound permissions for events have as per notification of the Department of Environment & Climate Change. Effective immediately, the measures are aimed at enhancing coastal zone monitoring and regulating noise pollution.
As per the first notification, property owners will have to obtain satellite imagery reports through the Goa Coastal and Environment Management Society (GC&EMS) for which they will be charged a fee of Rs 10,000 per structure.
Certified copies of these reports will cost 75% of the initial fee. Officials said that this move will improve transparency in coastal zone management, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas where illegal constructions have surged.
According to a 2024 study by the National Centre for Coastal Research, Goa lost nearly 12% of its coastline to erosion and unauthorised development over the past decade. The second notification has introduced tiered fees for sound permissions based on event types and application timelines.
Commercial events applying seven days in advance will pay Rs 15,000, rising to Rs 21,000 for last-minute submissions (under three days). Private functions face lower fees, starting at Rs 3,000.
Exemptions apply to government, religious, and cultural events. The policy, however, exempts entities with pre-existing three-year permissions, referencing a 2024 order aimed at long-term event organizers.
