Goans in general and activists in particular, are often being accused of being anti-development. But had it not been for these activists and their NGOs, particularly in our villages, surely we would have seen today much less of the Goa that was, the Goa we experienced and the Goa we wish to see in future. In fact, they play the role that normally a responsible Government had to in safeguarding our hills, our beaches, our fields, our environment, our ecology, our customs and traditions and essentially all that is typically ours and we ought to take pride in preserving for our future generations.
Here and there could be instances of a few acting in their own self interest, but the courageous and tenacious struggles of the many selfless crusaders are indeed commendable. Similarly, there may be unjustified opposition to some innocuous projects. But this is only an indication of the atmosphere and level of distrust and mistrust that exists among the people on Govt. and Govt. supported projects, because of their past experiences.
The recent midnight assault on the tiny and beautiful Tiracol village, on the northern tip of Goa, is an indication that goondagiri raj is slow but steadily raising its tentacles in Goa. Greedy magnates, who have invested crores in purchase or lease of land for activities detrimental to Goa, to its people and to its environment, encounter road blocks by way of Court cases and people’s movements and find that the sole recourse is through intimidation, and use of muscle and money power.
People involved in illegalities do not, however, dare use such methods except if they are assured of official support. Hence, the audacity of Leading Hotels in bringing bouncers and heavy machinery, leveling land and trees, without even leaving traces of these, and constructing an access road through tenanted lands and forest areas, in flagrant violation of status quo ordered by the National Green Tribunal and the Administrative Tribunal. If the work being carried out was legal, why use bouncers and that too at the dead of night? True that Leading Hotels of the World, a consortium, won the bid to set up an international standard golf course, after the Goa Tourism Dept issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the second time, after the first failed to elicit any response. International Four Seasons will be associated with the project in terms of operation and management. However, the project has been embroiled in controversy after most residents protested against the environmental damage that would be caused. Almost the entire village of Tiracol consists of tenanted or mundkarial land. Around 12.5 lakh sq. mtrs. have been purchased by Leading Hotels, through controversial sale deeds, some of which are being contested in the Courts as mundkarial and tenanted land cannot be sold. However, a few, in connivance with the landlord, issued negative declarations that they were not tenants and hence had no claim to the land.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests granted permissions including CRZ clearance to the resort and golf course project at Tiracol. The Forest Dept also gave permission for felling 155 trees in a survey No. identified as forest area. The project entails razing around 2000 trees and use of chemical based weedicide which is bound to pollute the river down below. The villagers also apprehend shortage of water as golf courses need ample water and the village has only a few wells on which they depend. The project is proposed on a pristine plateau with dense vegetation. Goa University has researched the area and observed that it contains higher index of plant endemicity than even the Western Ghats.
A few Tiracol residents alongwith Goa Foundation filed an appeal in National Green Tribunal at Pune challenging the clearances mainly on the grounds that the CRZ policy of the State is to allow resort projects only in settlement zones and the said area is not earmarked for the purpose of a resort, as is mandatory. It also bases the arguments on false information and wrong data provided to obtain clearances. The NGT has ordered a status quo on this project. Incidentally, there is also a stay on the bridge linking Keri to Tiracol. Readers will recall that agitated over the tough postures of NGT, Pune, Manohar Parrikar was keen on another NGT in Goa, obviously for reasons that are anyone’s guess. With his new position, he may now eventually succeed, as the Centre too is keen on clearing projects throwing all caution on environment and ecology to the winds.
The Government of Goa besides ignoring or perhaps abetting the unacceptable and aggressive postures of the powerful investors at Tiracol is also trying to bulldoze its way at Sancoale and Nauxi, proposing marinas which are being vehemently opposed both by the people as well as their elected representatives. Marinas are known to cause not only environmental damage but also affect marine life and the livelihood of fisherfolk. Alina Saldanha and Vishnu Wagh need to be commended on their stand on marinas. We hope Wagh will resign, as promised, if Parsekar goes ahead. Parsekar’s uncouth behaviour in boasting that he had asked Alina, his colleague and a lady to shut her mouth does not behove of the CM of a cultured and highly literate State.
The Goa Biodiversity Board slammed Parsekar’s moves by stating that the Sancoale Bay is most eligible for biodiversity heritage site, as per eligibility criteria. He is turning out to be even more controversial than Parrikar. His tearing hurry in moving ahead with casinos, Mopa, marinas, etc., and his silence on the happenings in Tiracol, which he represents, display his inclination towards lucrative projects and raise suspicions that large unofficial financial gains will have precedence over environment and Goa’s and Goans’ interests. This is in tune with the policy followed by the Government at the Centre. The action of Leading Hotels in Tiracol is in contempt of Court orders. To my mind, the Government ought to have acted as also instructed restoration of damage done, but nothing seems to have happened except stopping further work.
We have in the past opposed and agitated against Congress policies. There is no reason why we should not demonstrate our might now. We must counter the evil designs of the Government. GBA, Village Group of Goa and various other village NGOs need to bury their differences, if any, and work together for the greater good of Goa. The enemy is common and we need to destroy it before it can destroy us. Let us rise before it is too late.
(The author is a retired banker)
