Green body issues stop-work order to Bambolim project
Panaji:
The
Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
(Goa-SEIAA) has issued an order asking
Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment
to stop work on its project at Bambolim. St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar had protested at the site, alleging a number of illegalities. Several activists have also filed complaints with various authorities like the WRD, alleging that the digging was carried out too deep into the ground, damaging aquifers.
'It has come to the notice of this authority that construction is being undertaken in property bearing survey nos. 14/1, 14/2, 15/1, 16/1, 17/1, 17/2, 17/3, 18/1, 19/1, 19/2, 19/3, 20/1, 20/2, 20/3, 21/1 to 8, 31/1, 35/1, plot no. 358 of Bambolim village, Tiswadi taluka, without obtaining prior environment clearance as prescribed under the ElA Notification 2006,' the Goa-SEIAA has said.
The application for
environmental clearance
is pending before the authority.
'Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, you are hereby directed to stop work with immediate effect. Further, you are directed to ensure that no civil work whatsoever is carried out at the said site. Failure to comply with the directions shall attract action under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which includes imprisonment/fine,' the notice to Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment said.
Recently, the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (Goa-SEAC) had recommended conversion of the controversial project at Bambolim from residential to commercial. This was despite officials finding during inspections that there appeared to be a rupture of the aquifers and substantial hill-cutting.
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