“I hope everyone will learn a lesson from this. Due to climatic change, such tragedies are bound to increase. Nobody can stop rains or control floods. But we can take measures to lower the intensity of such impacts.” Goa receives about 100 inches of rain every monsoon.
Similar to Kerala, Goa is also facing human incursions and unscientific developmental activities in the ESA, and its example we have seen with flooding in past in talukas like Canacona, Bicholim, he said. “I will say, Goa is already in danger. Climate is already upset and it is time the government acts. Government needs to rethink on its planning policies seriously
— Dr Claude Alvares, Environmentalist and Director Goa Foundation
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Goa is a very tiny state as compared to Kerala and if whatever Gadgil has quoted in his report happens and in context to the Kerala episode, his comments are to be believed then Goa would be the worst affected place. We can see the authenticity because we have the example of Canacona where the whole mountain had come down in the rainy season,”
He added, “Another serious factor is that the distance between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is hardly 45 kms.”
— Ramesh Gawas, Activist
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Insensible use of land, soil and rocks can lead to a deluge. Compared to Kerala, Goa is a small State and its towns get flooded even with just three or four inches of incessant rains,” he said.
He added, “The government has allowed the destruction of ESA in the guise of eco-tourism, without even understanding the topography or geographical areas. Along the coastal belts, there are rampant violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms along big projects in the NDZ. Mangrove forests are being destroyed in the name of development. You see, hills are being cut to make ways for roads, bridges, etc. These hills were known to hold the monsoon water but today they are weakened.”
“This is a welcome call for disaster,” he said, pointing out that even if not in full, the government should have partially accepted the recommendations of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committee report, which had prohibited developmental projects, quarrying, and mining in the proposed ESA identified by them.
—Rajendra Kerkar, Environmentalist
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In Goa University we ourselves had conducted research on the effects of mining on water table and eco-system. The way Goa is going in development is totally unfair and unsustainable to the holistic development of Goa.”
He added, “We are reducing the forest cover, we are cutting hill slopes, filling low lying areas and this results in destroying the sustainable environment. We were expected Goa before Kerala. Nature rewards or nature punished but never forgives.”
—Dr Joe D’Souza, a former microbiology scientist at Goa University (GU)
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It is indeed a shame for the modern society that a city located on the banks of a river fails to discharge flood waters. Recurring flooding of Panjim, Chennai floods, Mumbai inundations, and now Kerala are recent examples. Coastal inundations constitute one of the foremost natural hazards of the world.”
He added, “Note that cyclones, storm surges, tsunamis and heavy rain are natural hazards which culminate as disasters only when human development interferes with the functions of natural systems. Two parameters appear to be very crucial here: use and significance of gradients in the form of antecedent drainage, and the beneficial role of coastal wetlands in the alleviation of inundations. The characteristics of coastal landforms govern the impacts of flooding on people. The major factors that control the damage potential of storm waters are topography, elevation, drainage, and the role of natural systems, the wetlands in particular.
“Frenzied modern development in the form of insatiable avarice has drastically changed the landscape of Panjim during the last two decades or so. The St Inez creek is choked beyond redemption. The Mala lakenow resembles a site beyond all bounds of restoration. The city bus terminus comprises reclaimed lowlands, and represents the largest reclamation in the history of Goa. Projects are encouraged in dangerously low-lying areas. As a consequence, wetlands and marshes have degraded drastically. Recurring flooding episodes prove the inference that the natural ecosystems of Panjim have almost collapsed.” He said
—Dr Antonio Mascarenhas, a former NIO scientist
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