Observing that there is no evidence of adverse impact on environment due to shacks, the Goa bench of the Bombay HC on Monday allowed the state govt to allot temporary licences for these structures overruling the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
A division bench of the High Court led by CJ Pradeep Nandrajog & Justice Mahesh Sonak observed that beach shacks existed in Goa since long which are made up of eco-friendly material such as wood, bamboo & palm leaves.
The order came as a huge relief to hundreds of shack owners in the state.
The bench ordered the state govt to finalise the Goa Coastal Zone Management Plan as soon as possible. The National Green Tribunal had last month stalled allocation of beach shacks in the coastal state in the absence of such plan.
In its order, the bench observed that with beginning of the tourist season in Goa & keeping in view the employment generation potential, "We are disposing of the petition (and) staying the operation of the National Green Tribunal order to the State of Goa".
"Shacks have existed in Goa since long, & there is no evidence of adverse impact on the environment on account of the shacks. The shacks are erected with eco-friendly material such as wood, bamboo & palm leaves.
"We permit the state to implement the Shack Policy 2019-22. We would request the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to finalise for the state of Goa the Coastal Zone Management Plan as soon as possible & preferably by the date specified by the National Green Tribunal," the judges noted.
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