Goa Coastal authority issues notice to casino near bird sanctuary

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority sent a show-cause notice to a casino vessel stationed near a bird sanctuary for operating without the Coastal Regulation Zone clearance.

India.- Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) sent a show-cause notice to MV Royale Floatel stationed near a bird sanctuary for operating without the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance. The casino vessel is currently stationed near Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located between Chorao Island and Ribander village.

GCZMA’s notice questions why the ship should not be asked to move out from the area which has been marked as CRZ. Goa Forest Department had already issued a notice to the casino for its proximity to the bird sanctuary, as the facility could pose a threat to its ecology.

Social activist Kashinath Shetye had earlier filed a complaint with GCZMA alleging that the ship was violating CRZ’s rules. In the past weeks, there have been protests and demonstrations against the vessels stationed in the Mandovi river.

“The GCZMA officials during the site inspection noted that the vessel is operational without CRZ clearance and hence the authority decided to issue a show-cause notice seeking their reply,” said a senior official of GCZMA.