Restore past glory
of Bambolim beach
The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has reportedly issued a stop-work order and a show cause notice to a starred hotel for constructing a retaining wall along the Zuari river bank at Bambolim following a directive from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). It is also learnt that the technical clearance granted earlier to the company has been revoked after the GCZMA raised objections and issued a stop-work order. The initial clearance was reportedly based on a no-objection certificate provided by the GCZMA which has since been withdrawn. The company has been directed to halt all ongoing construction work on the site with immediate effect. This must be considered as a huge moral victory to all those who objected to the project. But then, they should not be satisfied with the issuance of the stop-work order. The company needs to be directed to restore the Bambolim to its past glory at its own cost. It is observed that with debris, gravel and stones strewn all over the place there is hardly any part of the beach left. It presents a pathetic sight as hardly any beach sand is visible. Bambolim beach was once a popular picnic site and was visited by many elderly people for their annual dip in the sea water. Directing the company to restore the beach will also act as a deterrence for such illegal activities taking place. In future the authorities concerned need to be careful while issuing permission for such construction work along the coastline.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Time to protect
mother earth
This has reference to the photo ‘Sewage scourge’ (Herald May 2, 2025).
Such a dirty sight, rather frightening, that of raw sewage being pumped into mangroves near the Interstate Bus Stand at Patto, Panjim. Whatever happened to the Smart cities project? Needless to say, this issue must be taken up seriously. Yes, it does affect the environment. This is no way to treat God’s creation. I mean, where are we heading, if not on the road to Environmental Disaster? We are destroying the very things that are meant for protecting us from the forces of Nature. In Mumbai too, mangroves are being destroyed steadily by dumping construction debris.
World Environment Day is just a month away. Let's keep this day in mind and work towards protecting the environment, protecting our Earth. Our is the only planet which has life! You Live only Once!
Melville X D'Souza, Mumbai
Freedom of press
is non negotiable
Democracy craves for reliable and impartial press that transcends pulls and pressures. "World Press Freedom Day" is observed on the May 3 every year to remember the values that define press freedom. There was a period when the freedom of press was threatened almost on a daily basis.
Newspapers thrived only on the absolute integrity, and dedication to duty, of the owners and editors of newspapers. The press recouped beyond imagination and, perhaps, the vivid memories of those days laid foundation for an assertive and aggressive press steadfast to take on the high and the mighty.
Independence of the press, however, is always under scrutiny. Freedom of expression as a human right cannot be seen separate from people's access to fair and unbiased information. Press is the watchdog of democracy; but the people themselves are the watchdogs of an independent press.
Founding father of the US, Thomas Jefferson had famously said he would have a free press without a government but not a government without a free press.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Pak and terror are
interconnected
Pakistan is home to at least 12 groups designated as ‘foreign terrorist organisations’ like LeT, JeM JuD, Jihadi group, Taliban, HM, etc. Spewing venom is by birth of Pakistan culture. Pakistan supports and sponsors terrorism. Terrorism was supported under the guise of religion and tenets and justified by clerics and bigots. Pakistan PM is Shahbaz Sharif for physical appearance but functionally the army rules the country. Terror cannot be separated from Pakistan. Pakistan was born on anti-India plank and it is its only identity and is is comprised of the troika of the power hungry Army, the avaricious politicians and the opportunistic terrorist organisation.
Pakistan fooled the Americans for years that they were with them on the war on terror, all the time taking billions of dollars and training the Taliban to kill NATO forces. The list of lies and deceit is endless and well documented by several books written by Pakistani, Indian and Western authors.
Most of the Pakistani generals are corrupted and are preparing to have settled life in the foreign countries in the name of war against India. Pakistan was carved out of India not naturally but forcefully by murky, cunning, selfish and egoist M A Jinnah in connivance with Britishers under the guise of two-nation
theory.
K G Vilop, Chorao