Former Supreme Court Justices Throw Weight Behind Goa's Environmental Crusade
In a powerful show of judicial support, former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and former Supreme Court justice Abhay Oka have publicly endorsed Goa's burgeoning 'Enough is Enough' movement. This citizen-led initiative, spearheaded by retired Allahabad High Court chief justice Ferdino Rebello, is demanding urgent governmental action to halt the rampant environmental degradation plaguing the coastal state.
Judicial Voices Champion Constitutional and Cultural Rights
Justice Gavai articulated a profound vision for Goa's future, stating that "development must serve the people, preserve culture, and protect the future." He expressed his hope that constitutional authorities would give the movement's demands the serious consideration they warrant. Gavai described the 'Enough is Enough' campaign as compelling and firmly agreed with the fundamental "right of Goans to remain stakeholders, not outsiders, in their own land."
Justice Abhay Oka invoked the constitutional framework, highlighting the dual responsibility in environmental protection. "While every citizen has the fundamental duty to protect forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, it is also the collective duty of the state to protect the environment," he asserted. Oka issued a stark warning that the state's failure to perform these constitutional duties leads directly to ecosystem destruction and pollution, which in turn violates citizens' fundamental right to live in a pollution-free environment as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution.
A Call to Protect Goa's Unique Natural Heritage
Justice Oka placed a special emphasis on Goa's unique position, noting, "The authorities in Goa have additional responsibility. This state has a gift of natural beauty and a rich heritage. They have a duty to protect the same at any cost." He delivered a powerful rebuke to the model of destructive development, declaring, "Let us not destroy nature for so-called 'development' works. There can be no real development that takes place by destroying the environment."
The Movement's Core Demands and Apolitical Stance
The 'Enough is Enough' movement, which is galvanising public support through mass meetings and protests, has presented a detailed 10-point charter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Its key legislative demands include:
- The immediate repeal of controversial Sections 17(2) and 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act. These sections permit changes to zoning regulations, land use designations, and floor area ratios (FAR), which activists argue facilitate unchecked construction.
- The withdrawal of a 2023 circular issued by the TCP department. This circular permits the use of unofficial topographic survey maps for planning purposes, a move critics say legitimises illegal hill-cutting activities.
The movement's primary grievances focus on the triple threats of rampant land conversions, illegal hill cutting, and unregulated real estate development, which collectively pose a severe risk to Goa's delicate ecological balance. Justice Ferdino Rebello, a former Cuncolim MLA, has consistently maintained that the movement is strictly apolitical. He emphasises that it represents the unified concerns of ordinary citizens over critical issues like water security, land rights, environmental health, employment opportunities, and the preservation of the unique Goan identity.
A Significant Moment for Grassroots Activism
The endorsement from two distinguished former justices of the Supreme Court marks a pivotal and significant moment for the 'Enough is Enough' movement. It lends considerable legal and moral authority to its cause, transforming it from a local protest into a nationally recognised campaign for sustainable development and constitutional environmentalism. This judicial backing is expected to intensify pressure on the state government to address the movement's demands with the urgency and gravity they deserve.
