PANAJI: A four-year legal battle over the illegal cutting of a hill at Arpora has ended after the Bombay High Court at Goa recorded that the hill had been restored to a stable condition.
The case began in 2022 after the Goa Foundation received a citizen complaint about hill-cutting and development activity behind the Park Regis Hotel. The Foundation approached the High Court after the work continued despite its complaint to the local authorities.
A court-directed inspection found that the hill had been cut by around 4–5 metres vertically over nearly 100 metres, along with excavation for a road. Authorities later confirmed that the hill-cutting had been carried out without the required permission under Section 17-A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act.
The High Court subsequently directed restoration of the hill and restrained further construction until the site was restored.
The restoration process was closely monitored by the Goa Foundation for nearly four years. After the Goa Engineering College was engaged to scientifically assess the restoration, it submitted recommendations in January 2026.
In its June 29, 2026 report, GEC concluded that the slope had been restored to a stable condition and that the work complied with its technical recommendations.
On August 24, 2026, the High Court recorded that the primary relief sought by the petition had been achieved and disposed of the case.
The Goa Foundation said the case demonstrates the importance of citizen vigilance, sustained environmental litigation and scientifically verified restoration of damaged natural resources.
