The Bombay High Court has taken decisive action against Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and his company, M/s Elite Builders, for their continued failure to demolish illegal structures at Nazri Resort in Calangute that violate coastal protection laws.
Court Intervention After Years of Non-Compliance
A division bench comprising Justices Sarang V Kotwal and Ashish S Chavan issued a formal notice to the construction firm through its partner, Michael Lobo, who also serves as the local MLA. The court has made the notice returnable on February 4, 2026, giving the respondents substantial time to prepare their response.
The legal action comes after an alarming timeline of delays and ignored directives. According to the petition, the illegal structures have remained standing despite a demolition order issued seven years ago in 2018, the Supreme Court dismissing an appeal in April 2024, and a follow-up execution notice served four months ago.
Chronicle of Environmental Violations
The case centers around serious environmental violations in the coastal regulation zone. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) initially directed M/s Elite Builders through Michael Lobo to demolish the illegal structures in 2018 after determining they were constructed in a protected coastal area in blatant violation of environmental laws.
When the company challenged this order, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) upheld the demolition directive. The legal battle reached its apparent conclusion when the Supreme Court dismissed the final appeal in April 2023, leaving no further avenues for appeal.
Despite this legal clarity, the GCZMA had to issue another notice in June 2024 directing execution of the original July 9, 2018 demolition order and requiring submission of a compliance report.
Legal Action and Environmental Consequences
The High Court intervention came only after multiple communications and legal notices regarding the non-execution of the demolition order. The petition seeks comprehensive action from the authorities.
The key demands include:
- Immediate demolition of all illegal structures at Nazri Resort
- Recovery of costs and damages from the violators to be used for environmental restoration
- Revocation of all trade licenses currently enabling commercial operations at the resort
- Sealing of the premises pending demolition to prevent further environmental degradation
The case highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcing environmental regulations in ecologically sensitive coastal areas, particularly when powerful political and business interests are involved. The extended timeline of non-compliance spanning seven years raises serious questions about implementation mechanisms for environmental protection orders.
As the case progresses through the judicial system, environmental activists and local residents will be watching closely to see if this marks a turning point in enforcing coastal protection laws in Goa's popular beach destinations.
