Perhaps. It is fantastic to see the first time MLA of Poriem Constituency in Goa who is also Chairperson of the Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) take in the reins and look at possibilities of eco tourism projects to bring access and facilities for the promotion of Goa’s forests and its conservation. Along with her husband who has more than 15 years experience in politics, also MLA of Valpoi and holding the forest portfolio, to set up a model for forest conservation and sustainable development makes the job or mission even easier. But before we can set up Botanical gardens and hinterland eco tourism projects, is she aware of the state of our pristine forests which are part of the majestic and bio-diverse Western Ghats?
Poriem and Valpoi are endowed with the best of nature’s gifts – numerous waterfalls, dense forests, endemic species, etc. No wonder that these areas along with the rest of the Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Natural site, one of the top biodiversity hotspots of the world. I’m assuming that Deviya and Vishwajit, like the many young nature loving couples that we see often on forest trails, must have explored the waterfalls and forests of their own backyard. Just more than a month ago as volunteers, it was impressive to see junior Rane plod through the ‘chikol mati’ and silt laden mud flats on Mankulem island opposite Chorao, with a little help from Dr Fr Bolmax Pereira on World Environment Day at the mangrove plantation drive initiated by the State Forest Department. But I doubt if he has done the same in the forests of his own backyard. Deviya too seems unaware.
We visited Pali waterfall in the region of the Madhei Wildlife Sanctuary, last Sunday and the neighbourhoods of Nestor Rangel’s Farm de Goa in Valpoi. We had also visited the same waterfall a week or so earlier. There were throngs of people-families, youngsters, students from a Chimbel School, the staff of the Directorate of Health Services, senior citizen groups, amateur photographers, local youth groups and more going to and returning from one of the most stunning waterfalls in Goa.
We were with a large group of seniors. As we walked through streams, grasslands, hill slopes and finally into the forest we sighted the State butterfly of Goa-Malabar Tree Nymph (idea malabarica), Southern Birdwing, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Grey Hornbills, Malabar Giant Squirrel, unique wild flowers, frogs, spiders, giant trees, etc. While the trek was immensely adventurous and the forest mesmerising, it was disgusting and horrifying to see a never ending trail of garbage and litter. Plastic pet bottles, plastic cold drink bottles, liquor bottles, plastic chips packets, plastic biscuit wrappers, disposable plastic cups and plates, broken umbrellas, discarded face masks, broken chappals, disposed pampers and some clothes dumped too. All this litter was strewn along the path, hidden in bushes along the trail, in large piles at certain locations and loads of it all around the waterfall. There were tell-tale signs that the piles were also being burnt!
We met all the forest personnel along the way and inquired with them about this menace. They were aware and helpless too. They informed us that they do a routine clean up every Monday and that visitors do not pay heed. When we inquired with the villagers, we got the same answers. People have no civic sense, they come only to have fun, they carry lots of plastic bags and bottles and leave all of it in the forest after the picnic. And the scenario is the same at all the waterfalls and forests in Goa. Not one has been spared. We were all pained to see the absolute defacement and dirtying of these paradise forests. While littering is one issue, the impact of the plastic waste and micro plastic seeping into the soil and contaminating the fresh water and further impacting the lives of marine species and land species including humans and its connection to life threatening diseases is undeniable. Therefore how is it that people have become numb to this reality? That we want the best and use all our liberties to the extent of even violating the law and are blind to the damage we are causing?
This is one part but what about the enforcers of law and the duties and responsibilities of our Forest Minister, its department and the Chairperson of the Goa Forest Development Corporation? Why are systems and protocols not in place? Why are plans not made and implemented to help conserve and protect what we already have? There are exemplary officers in the Forest Department, some already driving positive change.
Deviya, being a woman leader, can lead by doing all of this. She can also bring the values of nurturing, protecting, conserving and real empowerment to the tasks and responsibilities she has been assigned with. Perhaps besides her lead, if she lets the women in the GFDC and the Forest Department take on this mission to conserve and protect, we will see a change.
Today is World Nature Conservation Day and we are sure that Deviya, beginning today, can influence all around her and truly achieve success in bringing change to infuse a rigour and strict protocol in how Goa’s forests are managed and conserved. These are the foundational steps before botanical gardens and eco-tourism projects can become super examples of sustainable development in forests, particularly only in its buffer zones.
(Tallulah D’Silva is an
architect and silver awardee of the
Golden Door Award 2020)
