Utt goemkara, utt goemkara, tumchem moladik mot fokot maka” is one of the few slogans that is resounding across the length and breadth of Goa, a propaganda that is heard only every five years. A lot is being promised, intentionally or otherwise. However, crucial humane, ecological and environmental issues such as conservation of natural ecosystems and restoration of degraded landscapes are shockingly missing (albeit with a minor references by two groups), in all those charters which are being tossed at the public.
For the sake of simplicity, consider a cross section (or a fly-by) from the summit of the Western Ghats down to the water line along the sea front. One finds dense mountainous woodlands, low-lying wetlands with intervening rivers, creeks and mangrove marshes, and coastal beach – dune complexes. Human settlements are scattered across these east to west landscapes. The evergreen forests comprise natural vegetal systems. If a jungle is destroyed by natural or anthropogenic influences, the ecosystem can be easily restored by planting new species; natural rejuvenation can occur, if the plantation is left to evolve all by itself. Any natural process or human intervention on the natural regional landscape is bound to create impacts which can often be dramatic. Stress from earth or marine processes, and/or human influence on landforms can be of two types: reversible and irreversible. Therefore, of all the natural ecosystems that make tropical Goa, the coastal sand dunes are the most vulnerable to human actions as these landscapes (made of loose sand and bound by vegetation) are ecologically sensitive and geologically fragile. Hence the dune systems of India are protected by law, as the CRZ 2011 forbids any intervention on these delicate coastal geomorphic features.
The prevailing national legal documents notwithstanding, the coast of Goa has been and is being treated with disdain. To mention a few, the Baga- Sinquerim strip presents the most miserable shore front scenario; the entire dune field has been massacred. Anjuna is a disgrace and Palolem can be called a commercial zone with zero scope for leisure. And regretfully, the narrow dune field of Agonda is now occupied by a row of the so-called private shacks; these structures cannot stand environmental or legal scrutiny under CRZ 2011 laws, and are therefore blatantly illegal. Unfortunately, Goa lacks a dune management enterprise; a proposal (of this author) on sand dune parks is in suspended animation. Neither a mangrove nor a wetland policy is available and most of our natural (fresh and saline) water bodies are used as sinks for untreated sewage. A full list may be truly sorrowful. It is distressing that none of the major political parties have bothered to address these critical issues, essential for the conservation of the landscape of Goa for posterity.
It appears that only two political outfits have at least used the term environment. One local party lists environment, ecology, forests and wildlife protection among major issues. It outlines the following: fishing ban during fish breeding season; all internal rivers and tributaries shall be rendered erosion free through securing the banks with tetra-pod barricades; Goa’s sea beaches shall be de-congested and de-cluttered, rendered clean, regulated and made safe for bathing; beach shack policy shall be reviewed and strictly implemented. A manifesto by another (national) smaller party says: “khazans (coastal agricultural land tracts) will remain khazans, forests will remain forests and farms will remain farms, and protect the state’s rivers by heavily penalising polluters”. Interestingly, a manifesto from a constituency in Salcete has a full paragraph dedicated to coastal environment alone. It emphatically mentions about “demarcation of sand dunes, identification, rejuvenation and beautification of all springs within the constituency and converting these springs into tourist spots; de-silting and revival / rejuvenation of all wells, ponds, nullahs, lakes and farms throughout the constituency; demarcation protection and rejuvenation of mangroves and khazan lands; beach erosion across beaches to be curtailed through beach nourishment”. Such an effort by a young political party is highly laudable.
The coast of Goa in particular, probably constitutes the hottest piece of real estate in India. Presently, we hear a lot about ‘beautification’ projects; but the proponents need to understand that nature has its inherent and intrinsic beauty and, as such, natural landforms cannot be ‘beautified’. In reality, all these proposals involve reclamation and concretization (and big money) in total contravention of ecological principles particularly those in coastal zones. It is precisely for this reason that the green courts of law have systematically intervened and put a stop to several government projects.
The need for the preservation of natural resources in general is well enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. Conservation of natural ecosystems is thus a statutory obligation of Indian citizens. Further, the Environment Protection Act (EPA) of 1986 delineates the methodology for the protection of environment from a scientific perspective. Therefore, the science – scientist – politics – policy – society nexus needs to come into play. Have scientists fulfilled the duty towards mankind by warning about the perils of rapacious “development”? Obviously, a stronger presence of scientists on local projects is needed to counter the powerful “development” lobbies. The scientific community has an obligation to forcefully project the results of research into the political domain, inculcate the habit of public scientific interactions through awareness, and make their voices heard in the affairs of natural ecosystems. Note that science or research was never ever discussed in the Goa legislative assembly.
(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former Scientist, NIO, Goa).
