Court orders demolition of part of inn built in environmental preservation area on Pipa cliff

Court orders demolition of part of inn built in environmental preservation area on Pipa cliff | large northern river

1 of 2 Aerial view of Pipa Tibau do Sul cliff — Photo: Idema

Aerial view of Pipa Tibau do Sul cliff — Photo: Idema

The Federal Court of Rio Grande do Norte condemned an inn at Praia de Pipa, in Tibau do Sul (RN), on the southern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, to vacate and demolish buildings which were made in a permanent environmental preservation area.

The new decision accepted a complaint made by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF). In the action, which was filed in 2015, the agency confirmed construction irregularitiesin addition to reinforcing the safety risks for people who frequent the place.

The court also ordered the payment of R$25,000 in compensation for the time the inn misused the environment.

According to the MPF, in one of the inspections by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), in June 2012, Ibama found that the inn had remained in place and in full operation since 1991.

2 of 2 Technical report points to serious risk of landslides in irregular construction near the edge of the cliffs at Pousada Marajoara — Photo: MPF

Technical report indicates serious risk of landslides in irregular construction near the edge of the cliffs at Pousada Marajoara — Photo: MPF

Inn built without environmental license, says MPF

According to the MPF, the inn was built without authorization from the Superintendence of Union Heritage (SPU) and without an environmental license in a permanent protection area, which belongs to the Union’s Heritage.

According to the Public Prosecutor Camões Boaventura, the maintenance of the inn would also put The safety and lives of guests, employees and swimmers who might be in the beach area below the inn are at riskgiven the high risk of landslides and collapses.

With the decision, the owners need to demolish structures such as staircases, pipes, an apartment on the edge of the cliff, a tubular well and a leisure area, with a wooden deck, gazebo and swimming pools.

They are also prohibited from building in beach areas and common use by the people, as well as on Brazilian Navy land without authorization from the SPU in Tibau do Sul.

In the decision, the Court also determined the environmental recovery of the area that was used, through the replanting of native vegetation where necessary, observing the already regenerated area, and other measures determined by environmental agencies.