WILLEMSTAD – Environmental organization Save Zakitó will appear in court on Wednesday in its legal challenge against the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) over a controversial resort development planned for the Zakitó area.
According to an official notice issued by the Joint Court of Justice, the case is scheduled to be heard at 9:00 a.m. before the Court of First Instance in Curaçao.
The public hearing will be presided over by Judge S. Langshage. During the proceedings, the court will question the parties involved and provide both sides with an opportunity to further explain their positions and respond to each other's arguments.
The case was filed by Movimentu Save Zakitó under the provisions of Curaçao's National Ordinance on Administrative Jurisdiction.
Residents Oppose Resort Project
Save Zakitó was established by residents seeking to stop the development of a resort project in the area.
The organization argues that the planned filling of the lagoon would cause irreversible environmental damage and permanently alter the landscape and living environment of the surrounding community.
According to the group, once the lagoon is filled, the ecological changes cannot be reversed.
Environmental Concerns
Residents and environmental activists have also expressed concern about the potential impact on the area's sensitive coastal ecosystem.
The Zakitó area contains mangroves and marine habitats that environmental advocates believe play an important role in protecting biodiversity and supporting coastal resilience.
Save Zakitó maintains that the project could negatively affect these ecosystems and has raised questions about whether all applicable construction and permitting requirements have been followed.
Public Hearing
The court session will be open to the public, allowing interested residents, environmental advocates, and other stakeholders to attend.
The case is expected to draw significant attention because it touches on broader issues involving environmental protection, coastal development, and the balance between economic investment and conservation in Curaçao.
The court's eventual decision could have implications not only for the future of the proposed resort but also for how environmental concerns are addressed in future development projects across the island.