NGT Mandates CIDCO Forest Department To Rehabilitate Three CRZ Locations In Raigad

The National Green Tribunal’s Western Zone Bench in Pune has directed the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and the Maharashtra Forest Department to restore three ecologically sensitive Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ-1) sites in Raigad district within one month. Officials are required to submit a detailed compliance report following the restoration work.

The move follows a petition filed by the Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union seeking protection and revival of Dhutum, Gavhan Koliwada, and Kegaon beach. The tribunal expressed dissatisfaction with partial measures taken by CIDCO, including incomplete removal of unauthorised constructions and inadequate action against waste dumping. The Bench, comprising a judicial and an expert member, underscored that CIDCO had only partially cleared unauthorised structures at Dhutum, questioning why complete restoration had not been enforced. The tribunal further emphasised that any dumped waste at Kegaon beach must be promptly removed, and CIDCO was instructed to file a comprehensive affidavit within four weeks detailing the action taken against responsible parties.

At Gavhan Koliwada, officials reported lodging an FIR against unidentified individuals for illegal garbage dumping, yet the tribunal noted no substantial steps had been taken to restore the site. Meanwhile, at Kegaon beach, the Divisional Forest Officer confirmed that boulders obstructing the site had been cleared and restoration efforts were ongoing. The tribunal granted the Forest Department one month to complete the process. The District Collector of Raigad, who was expected to provide updates on the progress, sought an adjournment for medical reasons. The tribunal allowed the request but set a strict deadline of four weeks for submission of the report.

An expert in environmental governance highlighted that timely compliance is critical, as delays in restoring CRZ areas can have long-term ecological impacts, including habitat loss, soil erosion, and water pollution. “Restoration of these sites is crucial not only for local biodiversity but also for sustaining the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities,” the official stated. The union representing fish workers emphasised that delays in uploading tribunal orders online have impeded public oversight, noting that the original order issued in July had not been made publicly available for over a month. Such delays, they argued, undermine environmental accountability and hinder enforcement of legal protections.

The NGT’s intervention reflects growing judicial scrutiny over coastal management in India, signalling an emphasis on sustainable urban planning and zero-carbon coastal ecosystems. By mandating prompt action from CIDCO and the Forest Department, the tribunal aims to ensure both ecological conservation and community interests are prioritised in Raigad’s rapidly developing coastal zones.

NGT Mandates CIDCO Forest Department To Rehabilitate Three CRZ Locations In Raigad