SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: The Save Mollem Citizen group has issued a robust response to the Goa State Board for Wildlife's (SBWL) decision to grant in-principle approval for the contentious Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Limited, which traverses the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary. The group emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in wildlife conservation, asserting that the project proposal must align with the Supreme Court (SC) order.
Referring to the SC order on April 7, 2022, wherein it approved and accepted the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the Save Mollem group underlined that the Goa Tamnar project proposal cannot contradict the SC order. The group also recalled that the SC had set aside recommendations made by the National Board of Wildlife.
Regarding other plans, the group mentioned citizens' requests to investigate the installation of poles. They highlighted concerns that the poles might be within the boundaries of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, potentially causing damage to properties and houses in Collem Bazarwado ward. The group urged authorities to address these concerns.
The group called on the Goa government to prioritize transparency by providing prior notice about meetings, sharing agenda points in the public domain, democratically sharing minutes, and ensuring project proponents are not part of any lobbying in SBWL meetings.
