Calangute: Residents, activists and panchs of Calangute-Candolim have urged the authorities to immediately stop the destruction of dunes in the no-development zone (NDZ) at survey number 208/1C in Khobravaddo, allegedly continuing despite court orders. A video that went viral last Saturday showed two earthmovers clearing dunes on the property. When questioned, a person overseeing the work claimed it was being carried out at the behest of the Calangute panchayat.Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said that after learning of the clip, he filed a complaint with Calangute police on Saturday, seeking an immediate halt and seizure of the machines. On Tuesday, the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) wrote to the chief secretary and other authorities, alleging violations of directions by the GCZMA and the high court. CCF president Agnelo Barreto said dunes are classified as CRZ-1 under CRZ Notifications 2011 and 2019, and are prohibited from being altered, levelled, excavated, or destroyed. The CCF demanded a show-cause-cum-stop-work order and restoration at the violators’ cost.
