Goa High Court Directs Authorities to Respond to PIL on Land-Grabbing and Environmental Violations
The High Court of Goa has issued directives to the Merces panchayat and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to formally respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning alleged land-grabbing and environmental violations on comunidade land in Morombi-O-Grande. This legal action highlights growing concerns over ecological degradation and illegal activities in the region.
PIL Alleges Illegal Activities and Environmental Damage
Former chairperson of the biodiversity management committee of Merces, Kripa Pilarnekar, represented by advocate Rohan Desai, filed the PIL. The petition details serious allegations, including the illegal filling of low-lying, eco-sensitive comunidade land. This activity is reportedly accompanied by the destruction of mangroves and the operation of a commercial garbage dumping facility disguised as a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) shed.
According to the petition, these actions have led to irreversible environmental damage. Key issues cited include the obstruction of natural drainage systems and the discharge of wet waste into mangroves that are connected to the Mandovi River and the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. This contamination affects wetlands belonging to the comunidades of Morombi-O-Grande and Chimbel, posing significant risks to public health and safety.
Public Health Concerns and Ongoing Nuisance
The PIL further emphasizes that for over a month, an intolerable odour has been emanating from the illegally operated garbage dumping site and MRF facility. This nuisance is particularly severe during night hours, from 8 PM until early morning, disrupting the local community and raising alarms about air quality and sanitation.
The court's directive requires the Merces panchayat and the GSPCB to submit their responses, underscoring the urgency of addressing these environmental and legal breaches. This case brings to light the critical need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and the protection of comunidade lands from unauthorized exploitation.
