Gulf Goans Hotels Co. Ltd. & Anr vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the legality of constructions by hotel owners in Goa, which were challenged by the Goa Foundation on environmental grounds. The Court noted that while the constructions had prior permissions, they violated environmental guidelines prohibiting construction within 200 to 500 meters of the High Tide Line (HTL) as per the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) enacted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Court held that the guidelines, although not strict law, reflect India's international commitments and can inform enforcement actions, thereby upholding the High Court's orders for demolition.