THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Elvidio Miranda
Environmental concerns and maintaining of the equilibrium of our eco-system should be a priority and of paramount importance while voting for a new dispensation in the forthcoming Assembly polls on February 14 by monitoring with strict compliance and exacting standards of environmental norms.
Maintaining a clean, green and healthy Goa should be the major issue in focus so that our land is given the best treatment possible as far as saving our natural beauty is concerned in line with respect for the laws of nature. Preservation of the varied flora and fauna of our beautiful forests, national parks, bird sanctuaries and wildlife sanctuaries as well as our rivers, lakes, streams, rivulets, creeks and ponds are concerned should be an area of prominent attention so that the effects of climate change is minimal and by judicious conservation of our natural resources, Goa can remain a land of plenty where nature and men co-exist in synchronous harmony.
Our rivers are polluted to a greater extent than they should be and it is thus imperative that sewage treatment, effluent treatment and prevention of mining run-offs are resorted to, so as to keep our rivers in such condition that marine life can be sustained so that the harvesting of our rivers for fish, crustaceans, clams and shrimps is done so as to maintain a healthy balance which makes marine life sustainable to the healthiest possible extent. Relentless efforts should be made to maintain our sandy beaches, coastline and traditional occupations.
With judicious management of our land and curtailing unnecessary development, Goa can be in the forefront of combating climate change by planning for very sustainable development taking into consideration the environmental scientists, and experts before approving any environment-damaging projects. In this regard, it should be stressed that the next government should decisively scrap the three linear infra projects.
The Covid-19 pandemic has opened our eyes to a disease that can be caused to the lungs and it will be a big mistake if we do not learn from this serious illness and take preventive measures. Monitoring of the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) within limits of our water bodies should help in maintaining healthy marine life. It is possible with judiciousness bordering on strictness that if Environment Impact Assessment is conducted so as to maximise the prevention of manipulation of the natural eco-system that Goa can be a role model state for the entire India, especially in keeping climate change at bay.
Goans should vote for those candidates who promise and keep their promises in their manifestos which will protect the environment. Environmental health is the most exalted form of health that can translate into the highest form of riches to this small but beautiful state.
