Curb tree cutting menace, save green cover
The controversial trend that has got erupted in Goa, wherein several prominent trees are cut down in the name of development, is infact posing immense danger to our environment. Are we heading in the right direction? We are already facing severe ‘climate change’ issues like increasing heat waves/less rainfall or delayed monsoon etc.
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Moreover, ancient trees have always been a part of nostalgia as villagers had spent some quality time enjoying tea parties under it, played across it during their childhood days, thus nurturing countless memories, just to mention a few. Furthermore, there’s a sort of affection which is attributed to these ancient trees, and cutting them abruptly doesn’t make any sense. Subsequently, it takes abundant time for these trees to grow and spread its benevolent branches, wherein several species have their habitats. Sadly, lack of green cover has been disturbing the wild beasts and forcing them to venture into human habitation.
Significantly, trees are also an integral part of our ecosystem, henceforth it benefits everyone in several ways. Alternatively, initiatives ought to be implemented wherein more tree plantation activities takes place across Goa. Also, the existing green cover needs to be preserved.
Eventually, by fostering a culture of vigilance and cooperation, the authorities concerned should verify the details pertaining to tree cutting and curb this menace to the earliest.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Candolim
Declare Procession of Saints as State festival
The unique procession of saints, popularly known as ‘Santamchem Pursanv’ which was held at the St Andrew’s church, Goa Velha, in Tiswadi yesterday was attended by a large number of devotees. It takes place on Monday in the fifth week of Lent. This traditional procession has been held since the 17th century by the Franciscan Order in Goa. After Rome, Goa is the only place where the procession of saints takes place.
During the season of Lent, the Catholic community in Goa solemnly observes various customs and traditional practices. The penitential Procession of Saints held at Goa Velha is one of them. Initially, when the procession took place, there were around 65 life-sized statues of saints, martyrs, queens and kings, who had dedicated their life to Christianity and the service of God. Currently, there are around 31 statues. There has been a demand from the St. Andre MLA to declare the ‘Procession of Saints’ as a state festival. It is learnt that the local panchayat has already approved a proposal for getting the procession as a State Festival. The state government has plans to establish Goa as a premier spiritual destination wherein visitors from all over the world could seek spiritual experiences across the state. By declaring the ‘Procession of Saints’ a State Festival, a large number of tourists from across the globe could be coming to Goa for the spiritual experience, especially because going to Rome to witness this unique procession could be out of bounds for many.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Penalise those guilty for state of Govt quarters
The poor maintenance by PWD and deteriorating conditions of some Govt quarters have led to several staff vacating the flats and moving out of the area. Some of them have moved out after the hike in house rent allowance.
Getting a residential pool accommodation was a prestigious matter among the government employees during earlier days. Those days it was difficult to get accomodation but now the situation has become different due to unsafe condition and poor maintenance of the buildings. Many say that the quarters at Bhatlem and Patto in Panjim are around four to five decades old.
Contractors too have done inferior quality of works and and the PWD fails to check the quality of works besides failing to maintain the area. Even snakes and other reptiles have moved in the homes here.
The unkempt area is a favourite breeding ground for mosquitoes. The Government should frame a policy to utilise the unoccupied quarters and should upgrade, renovate and properly maintain them so that employees can occupy them.
The AE/JE and contractors should be held accountable for poor maintenance and repair work and penalty should be imposed on them for executing unsatisfactory and inferior quality of works.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Excess intake of B Arch students sans permission
Reportedly (O Heraldo 15.3.2024), from the academic years 2019-2024 the Goa College of Architecture had admitted 251 students although the intake capacity is 40 per year. In the academic year 2019-2020 it admitted 51 (11 excess students) and in the subsequent years 50 students (10 excess students per year). The executive committee of the Council of Architecture has asked the college to reduce 5 seats every year for the next 6 academic years. (This works out to 30 seats while 21 excess seats are unaccounted). The council noted that the college had admitted students beyond the sanctioned strength by not obtaining its permission. The council’s other pointers were that the college has to move within 6 months to a better premises as the present one is unsuitable, immediately frame a new syllabus and appoint new faculty members. Last year the college was fined Rs 60,000 i.e., Rs 10,000 for submitting the online application form on March 17, 2023 instead of by the last date of March 15, 2023 and Rs 50,000 for two introductory M Arch courses.
It is perplexing that for 5 academic years the college missed being scrutinised by the management, the council and importantly by the Goa University, concerning the excess intake of students. In this imbroglio, the sufferers are the future students who are deprived of admission for the next 6 academic sessions. The college has poured cold water over the designs of potential students of architecture.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Uplift two- and three-tier cities
A common scenario seen in India is that the states and centre giving attention only to capital cities, Metros and tier one cities. The various state governments focus either on the capital’s or tier one cities and completely sideline other emerging cities which if uplifted can reduce the pressure and the turmoil faced by capital cities.
By giving equal status and by enhancing and improving emerging cities paying attention to its basic facilities like residential infrastructure , transportation, water and energy resources, tapping and improving its commercial and industrial potential can avoid migration of commoners heading to metros and capital cities that are already bursting at the seams. Issues like water scarcity, transportation chaos and energy crisis can definitely be minimised once equal status is given to tier two and three cities.
M Pradyu, Kannur
