Panaji, Goa: Former Minister Jose Philip D’Souza has expressed concern over the growing water scarcity in the state amid delayed monsoon rains, alleging that rampant hill cutting and large-scale deforestation are major contributors to the worsening situation.
Speaking on the issue, D’Souza remarked that the state appears to be “going backwards,” claiming that many people have been forced to cook on traditional chullas due to shortages and warning that residents may soon have to rely on wells for their water needs if the situation persists.
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He attributed the delayed rainfall and increasing water challenges to unchecked environmental degradation, particularly extensive hill cutting and the destruction of forest cover, which he said have adversely impacted the state’s natural ecosystem.
Calling for urgent intervention, the former minister urged the government to take immediate measures to tackle the water shortage and implement effective policies to curb environmental damage.
D’Souza stressed that proactive steps are essential to address both the immediate impact of the delayed monsoon and the long-term challenges posed by ecological imbalance, emphasizing the need for sustainable development and conservation to safeguard Goa’s water resources.
