PANAJI: The high court of Bombay at Goa, on Tuesday, sought a reply from chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s son Abhijat and government authorities following a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging destruction of forest around the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary for an eco tourism project promoted by him.The high court directed that notices be issued to Abhijat of Hideaway Hospitality, chief secretary of the state, secretary of the MoEFCC, principal chief conservator of forests, Goa State Eco Sensitive Zone Management Committee, Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB), chief town planner, deputy town planner and secretary panchayat of Neturlim.The plea challenges IPB’s in-principle approval to the project, claiming irregularities in the matter. The division bench comprising Justice Mahesh S Sonak and Justice Prithviraj Chavan , directed Abhijat and other respondents to reply by March 11.When the case came up for hearing senior advocate Carlos Ferreira, who appeared for the petitioner, told the court that the forest department, when asked for the status of the land, stated that it was not forest land. However, in an affidavit to the NGT the department stated that it was part forest.Ferreira showed the court Google Earth images of 2013, 2014 and 2015 of where the project is coming up. An application was made for a eco tourism project, he said.When justice Sonak asked him which government authority granted permission for the project and whether the PIL was challenging IPB’s in-principle approval, Ferreira replied that on the basis of the in-principle approval from IPB one could get all other permissions.Ferreira contended that an ordinance was issued to “help the project” wherein no other permission is required except construction licence. The state government, he said, cannot override central laws, adding that ever since the petitioner Abhijit Dessai became panch member, a number of cases have been filed against him.Deep Shirodkar representing the chief secretary, principal chief conservator of forests, chief town planner and deputy town planner, said construction licences date to three and four years ago and told the court that in the pictures submitted to it, even in 2006 there were barren pockets in the area. He added that greenery still exists there and raised questions about the petitioner’s background.

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