MARGAO: Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai came down on the State and Central government for granting clearances to cut trees and convert forest land for the double-tracking project through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park in south Goa.
Commenting on the decision to allow the deforestation by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF), Sardesai said “It is a brazen assault on Goa’s fragile ecosystem, environment and wildlife, and an arrogant dismissal of the voice of the people.”
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Earlier, on February 4, 2020, Sardesai appealed to the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, calling attention to the infrastructure projects planned through Mollem. The Goa Forward Party subsequently announced that the UNESCO team has the issue under review.
Sardesai said that both the Central and State governments have consistently ignored the calls and betrayed the trust of the people of Goa, and stated that “cutting 140 hectares and planting 1,000 trees as compensation do not solve the problem.”
Sardesai urged the Union Ministry to immediately reverse its decision, labelling it as the sale of India’s natural wealth.
The GFP Chief said that the linear projects of double-tracking, the widening of the national highway and the Tamnar Transmission Power Project serve no benefits to local residents and are only focused on facilitating the transportation of coal, which will make Goa a Coal hub.
Sardesai further hit out saying “Mollem is not Sawant’s private garden to cut down as it is the property of the people; protected under international laws and guidelines. The government has only one responsibility: that’s to protect Mollem not destroy it.”
The Fatorda MLA said that for almost a year now, students, NGOs, and all Goans have been protesting the linear projects. “It’s one thing to act deaf, it’s another to be downright arrogant.”
Vijai said and urged local advocacy groups and non-profit organisations to continue applying pressure on the government, while lending his and the GFP’s support to them.
Sardesai said, “I am calling on all Goans to unite and come together as one Team Goa to save Mollem.”
