From the environmental front, there seems to be no respite as far as the outcry of the public is concerned: this time, the new four-lane highway alignment that will skirt west of Margao city. For example, a recent newspaper report read: “Locals up in arms against reclaiming eco-sensitive water bodies”. Such an outrage keeps reminding us of the fact that every time a major project is attempted forcibly, environmental principles are simply thrown to the winds, thus ignoring the ecological concerns of the local stakeholders. Consequently, citizens have no other option but go to the courts of law.
The 26 km long coast of Salcete presents an almost linear stretch of khazans/paddy fields that extend uninterrupted from Velsao to Mobor. The Survey of India (SoI) 1964 toposheets depicts the erstwhile scenario where it is observed that coastal habitations are separated by an expanse of intervening low-lying areas as in between Colva and Margao. In comparison, modern google images clearly reveal that dwellings have expanded manifold, reclaimed areas have increased and, as such, the wetlands have shrunk significantly. A reduced linear wetland that embraces mangrove lined River Sal, nevertheless remains. It is through this lowland that the new highway is aligned. It starts at Verna, crosses Nuvem, Seraulim, Benaulim, and re-joins the existing highway at Navelim. The new road is 11 km long, with 4 lanes and with a maximum width of 45 metres as in Nuvem.
Wetlands of the world are governed by the Ramsar Convention. This treaty broadly includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peat lands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans. The role and functions of wetlands is well established. These ecosystems: support flood control; contribute towards groundwater replenishment; promote shoreline stabilisation and storm protection; help sediment and nutrient retention and export; assist water purification; comprise reservoirs of biodiversity, fish and wildlife; embrace highly productive environments in terms of agriculture and horticulture; have a cultural value and hence important for recreation tourism activities. The Ramsar Plan stipulates that “wetlands are conserved, wisely used, restored and their benefits recognised and valued by all.” As such, wetlands are of immense use to mankind.
Several environmental issues have afflicted this project: (1) Bisecting of Salcete wetland: Instead of flanking village boundaries, the highway embankment will dissect the wetland into two. Whereas the western side may not be impacted much, the eastern part will be choked with stagnant water, creating a wasteland with invasive flora, as the Konkan railway has done in Neura–Mandur. (2) Elimination water bodies: The roadway trespasses two major lakes and several minor water bodies and innumerable man-made ponds. (3) The issue of flooding: A foremost argument is that reclamation of wetlands will aggravate flooding. Here, pertinent questions arise. If these khazans collect water and get submerged, why does water remain stagnant and not flow out freely? That is obviously because the antecedent drainage patterns are severely disturbed due to haphazard human activities. Thus, if the drainage network can be restored, the question of flooding does not arise. (4) Stilts vs embankments: As proposed by the villagers, the hypothesis that stilts should replace embankments so as to avoid or minimise flooding lacks scientific validity. To ascertain this claim, a hydrological analysis in conjunction with geomorphological setting is imperative. Elementary modelling studies are needed. (5) Fate of River Sal: This water body consists of two parts: the upstream section with fresh water, and the lower segment with saline water, being tidally influenced up to Benaulim. Since a lot of mud has deposited in this waterway, dredging of the bed is crucial. It can then accommodate excess water. (6) Impacts on flora, fauna and wildlife: Wetlands are storehouses of rich biodiversity. It is not known whether any inventory of floral and faunal assemblages was ever done. A part of the wetland falls under CRZ. It appears that neither the GCZMA nor the GSBB has any plans for the rejuvenation of our shrinking khazans. (7) Need for box culverts: A wetland can function only if the interchange of water is not hindered. For this, concrete pipes are provided. (8) Extraction of mud from hills: The sheer volume of mud used for embankments is mind boggling. Innumerable hillocks have been ransacked, vegetation stripped, and mud mined. Such human action in hilly terrains forms an irreversible impact on the ecology of nearby villages.
Based on the above, A. It is obvious that the highway project across a highly productive wetland has been imposed without a proper scientific thought; B. The ecosystem services provided by a khazan, at least in terms of agriculture, has been overlooked; C. Wetlands are prolific reservoirs of fresh water, a crucial natural resource that needs attention; D. More importantly, a scientific EIA comprising the envisaged impacts, conservation of existing ecosystems, restoration of degraded portions, supported by plantation strategies, would largely assuage the apprehensions of stakeholders.
(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former Scientist, NIO, Goa)
