PANJIM: The wholesale environmental destruction undertaken by the BJP led government in the State came in for heavy criticism from the Parliamentary Standing committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests.
Criticising the government over the declassification of coconut tree and the functioning of the draconian Investment Promotion Board, the one stop shop for clearing projects, the committee, has recommended Central government intervention in the matter.
The Parliamentary Committee headed by its Chairman Ashwani Kumar, which is on a study visit to Bangalore and Goa from 4th to 6th February, held extensive discussions in Goa with representatives of NGO’s /civil society organisations, experts and central and state Government representatives on “The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015 and “Impact of mining on environment in particular and environmental issues of Goa’ in general.
During the interactions with the government officers, led by Chief Secretary RK Srivastava, committee chairman criticised the government for the declassification of coconut tree.
“I heard some people saying coconut tree is now grass. This is not just illegal but a joke. People are laughing,” he said.
He said that when coconut tree has given so much for Goa, including its image. “How can the government take such decision?” he asked.
“Even a kid will say coconut tree is not a grass,” he said adding “you cannot imagine the Konkan area without coconut trees”.
The committee met at a five star resort in Majorda and interacted with state government officials, mine owners, NGO’s and civil society members. The head of the committee, Ashwini Kumar, also met the media.
“We will recommend the Central government to intervene on this issue,” he said.
The committee was also critical of the Investment Promotion Board, saying “it is a destructive law.”
“The law is against environment. We understand it is a single window clearance for investments but the IPB has to take permission from all authorities,” he said.
From the complaint we have heard, Kumar said, “it seems like it is out to destroy the Article 14. You need to take permission from the local bodies like panchayat on such issues of big projects,” he said.
Later addressing press conference, Kumar said that the government officials were co-operative and seemed like they are taking steps to protect the environment.
“It seemed like the government is taking steps to protect the environment but I must say for this they have to change the laws of IPB and the coconut tree,” he said.
He said the committee also received complaints of CRZ violations.
“The government has replied that there are 1000 complaints and they are looking into the matter.”
He said that some NGOs/ Civil society members suggested that provision be made for incentives to persons who are displaced or relocated elsewhere from eco sensitive zone.
“It was suggested that CAMPA funds should be permitted to be used for acquiring lands in eco sensitive areas in order to overcome loss of forests and native species of plants should be selected so that ecology of the area is maintained,” he said.
At the meeting, the NGOs and Civil society members also drew attention of the parliamentary committee to the deteriorating environmental conditions in Goa attributed to mining and tourism industries including 17 categories of highly polluting industries and other industrial activities which are categorised as red, orange and green based on the process involved and pollution load generated with respect to effluent emission and hazardous wastes. Besides air pollution in Goa problem of solid waste management including bio-medical waste, sewerage pollution, noise pollution etc.
NGOs and civil society members informed the committee that the silt of red mud generated because of mining has entered into fields and rivers adjoining the mining areas which severely destroyed agriculture and riverine eco system.
Besides chairman of the committee, other members of the committee namely CP Narayanan, Paul Manoj Pandian, Bhupinder Singh, Prabhatsingh Chauhan, Ninong Ering, Dr K Gopal, Shivaji Patil, Nagendra Kumar Pradhan, Vikram Usendi, Mrs M Vasanthi and Nana Patole were present.
