Will sea condition be favourable for fishing?
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a yellow alert from July 29 to August 1 warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over North and South Goa districts. Every other day, the IMD has been issuing weather alerts which range from yellow to orange to red.
It has been raining cats and dogs in Goa over the past several weeks. The common man is left wondering what the different colour codes for weather alerts actually mean. The weather alert is issued by the IMD whose objective is to alert people ahead of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause damage, widespread disruption or danger to life.
These alerts are universal in nature and are also issued during floods. Probably among those for whom weather alerts play a vital role are those in the fishing profession. The High waves provide warning to the fishermen community thereby helping them in taking decisions before venturing into sea.
However, how many fishermen in the State are knowledgeable of the colour coded weather alerts issued by the IMD? Be that as it may, the fishing season officially ends on July 31, when the 61-day fishing ban comes to an end. The vital question that arises is whether the sea condition will be conducive for fishing activities post August 1 or will the fishermen be risking their lives?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Penalise war mongers for distruction to planet
The words ‘Climate Change’ and ‘Global Warming’ have become popular since the last three to four decades and came into regular parlance due to the devastating effects on the ecology as a result of exploitation of resources worldwide.
The effects of climate change are seen on a regular basis due to various type of devastations that occur worldwide: melting of the glaciers, the unusual floods, forest fires, extreme heat, lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, etc.
But one major cause of global warming can be attributed to the wars that have been raging in different parts of the world. In the present times, the worst offenders have been the Russians and the defending nation of Ukraine. The latest entrant, Israel has been bombarding Palestinian held territory for the last nine months.
There are also many African nations where due to internal strife huge populations are wiped out or displaced and there are extreme famines. Military activities produce extensive amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, pollution, and cause resource depletion, among other environmental impacts.
Artillery strikes, rockets and landmines release pollutants, wipe out forests and can make farmland unusable. In modern day war, bullets are fired in the millions. Then there are hand grenades, small bombs, cluster bombs, and very large bombs all of which add to the unwanted particles in the air.
The latest introduction are the drones where human exposure is obviated. The world’s militaries are responsible for more than 5.5% of global greenhouse and gas emissions. The large amounts of chemical discharge into the air affects the quality and temperature of the air on the planet.
Every bullet that is fired, besides the noise produced, leaves tiny particles in the air which forever float in the air. The uncontrolled discharge of large amount of heat affects the flow and distribution of air and there is a continual deterioration of the air which affects the overall climate.
All these war mongers who have caused several problems to the entire world population need to be severely dealt with for the environmental destruction they are responsible for.
Alwyn M D’Sa, Miramar
Tourists are being taken for a ride in Goa
Tourists say that local taxis overcharge commuters while local operators claim app-based taxis are unsafe and have higher fares. The two wheeler pilot vehicle has no regulation and they too charge high fares.
The government thinks that local taxi operators are fetching a bad name for the State by arbitrarily charging commuters. It is alleged that taxi operators keep their meters off and cheat tourists. No auto or cab driver goes by meter from the station. And since the numbers are less today, the charge is more.
It is the lack of pre -paid autorickshaws that is ruining tourist trips. Due to this, most of the tourists want App-based cab booking service offered by companies like Ola, Goa-miles and Uber is the preferred choice for commuters in the State. Goa tourism is realizing that the costs and inconveniences associated with visiting the State are increasing each year without a corresponding rise in tourists. Yet many vehicles are seen violating of MV act, i.e., tinkering glass, without mirrors and helmet, heavy load, etc. Due to the lack of sense in enforcement authorities, they are moving freely. The State Transport Department should develop a taxi and auto booking app similar to private cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. Efforts to regulate fares, improve transparency, and enhance competition in the transportation sector can help address issues of overcharging and ensure a fair and competitive environment for both commuters and drivers.
K G Vilop, Chorao
PG accommodations in news for wrong reasons
Paying guest accommodations (PG) for women are in the news after a woman, who had moved in only a few days ago, was brutally murdered in one such facility in a posh locality in Bengaluru. The police feel it is not, per se, their responsibility to secure the PGs without a formal complaint.
However, an increased patrolling in sensitive areas where the accommodations fall cannot escape their eyes. The onus lies on the owners of the PGs that host women to ensure the latter’s safety and security. It is shocking to observe that quite a few PGs in India run without licences and security guards.
Security guards should thoroughly frisk strangers who seek entry into the PGs. Importance of biometric fingerprint system for all those who enter the PGs cannot be stressed more. Availability of kitchens that prepare hygienic food so that the women need not repeatedly venture out for food is critical for their safety.
The regular presence of owners at the PGs, and their unflinching supervision, can work wonders for the residents’ morale. Moreover, every PG should possess a licence. Overall, a collective commitment can go a long way.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
