NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the Deputy Collector of Canacona to inspect the structures at Agonda’s turtle nesting site and file an affidavit before the High Court on or before January 13.
The case before the High Court pertains to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning Agonda’s turtle nesting site, highlighting illegal commercial constructions allegedly violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
In March 2025, the court had ordered the sealing of 67 establishments after observing that such structures posed a danger to Olive Ridley turtles, a Schedule I protected species.
The court also directed authorities to take action against those who failed to comply with its earlier orders, while reiterating that Agonda has “zero carrying capacity” and holds critical ecological significance as a turtle nesting ground.
The PIL, filed by Aman Gupta, drew attention to illegal structures and commercial activities in the ecologically sensitive No Development Zone of Agonda beach. Agonda is a crucial nesting site for the Olive Ridley turtle, and the court noted that disturbances caused by commercial activity are harmful to the species.
The court had earlier issued a notice to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for failing to stop commercial activities at the site despite previous directions.
