For them this decision not only boosts their opposition to the marina project, but also puts pressure on the government to scrap the marina.
A team of experts headed by GSBB member secretary Dr Nitin Sawant had inspected the site at Sancoale following which Sawant again authenticated that Sancoale bay is rich in biodiversity and any new project will seriously affect its ecology. He reiterated that the bay is an ecologically sensitive area and is a breeding ground for some endangered species and the members present reconfirmed that the site is fit to be declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
The decision was not only welcomed by Sancoale villagers but, cutting across party lines people supported it. “Surely it is due to pressure of our MLA and Minister Alina Saldanha that the site is still protected and thus even the concerned department is moving in the direction to declare the area as a heritage site and people from Sancoale would support the department to complete the mission which is to safeguard the heritage site,” said former sarpanch and panch Sharan Meti.
While Meti and others have lent their support to the board, others in village now fear that the marina issue is not yet dead as the State is yet to declare the site as heritage site and there can be attempts to sabotage the move.
“A few of our villagers were present during the
inspection. We were excited to know that GSBB is taking keen interest in declaring the site a biodiversity heritage site. The only worry is that the State has so
far not rejected the marina proposal although the chairperson of the board Saldanha has rejected the same. It is possible her decision can be reversed if someone else is given her portfolio and thus in terms of a permanent solution we demand that the site be declared a heritage site immediately,” said Sancoale-based RTI activist Narayan Naik.
Similar concern was raised by others in the village, who claimed they trust the Environment Minister and questioned why other ministers and MLAs were not supporting her.
“I feel the issue should be debated in the forthcoming Assembly session and then let us see who support marinas and who oppose,” said Sancoale resident Edward Fernandes.
