KOLKATA: A dispute that emerged at a virtual hearing of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), on whether the constructions along Digha coast were legal or in violation of the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) guidelines, led to the formation of committee to visit the site, assess the constructions and submit a report within a month of the visit. The matter came to light after West Bengal State Coastal Zone Management Authority (WBSCZMA) filed an affidavit on July 25.
The crux of the dispute revolves around the legality of the constructions on Digha coast. According to WBSCZMA and the DM of East Midnapore, the constructions fall within CRZ-II and are permissible. They also assert the structures are temporary. But photographs suggest otherwise, leading to doubts over the authorities' claims, observed the eastern zone bench of NGT of Justice B Amit Sthalekar (judicial member) and Arun Kumar Verma (expert member).
Activist Subhas Datta, the applicant, representing himself, said, "Illegal constructions dest-royed tamarisk groves. If unchecked, the coastline will be irreversibly damaged." WBSCZMA will serve as the nodal body for logistic arrangements.