At the recent Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority ( GCZMA) hearings held in South Goa and North, it was a admirable sight to see young Goan youth presenting their cases with evidence and facts about existing water bodies and other land with the sole aim of correcting the GCZMA maps and plans even at late night and for hours together at these hearings. The saying that youth is tomorrow’s future became a real thing looking at this sight at the hearings. Chicalim youth really stood out by presenting the facts by comparing the online Google satellite maps and images with the maps of the GCZMA. By superimposing they found the mistakes on the GCZMA survey maps and presented these facts for correction and incorporation into the plans to the authorities.
I would say this is good use of time, research and dedication to save Goan soil for the future generations. Your commitment and those guiding them will be remembered in the pages of the history. Hope all the youth of Goa take inspiration from this leadership and initiative of the youth of Chicalim.
Having been born and bathed and did fishing at the Chandor lake also called ‘Voilem tollem’ opposite the Alam Khuris, Chandor, it is sad to see this lake crying for attention and gradually getting buried with sand. This hidden gem of Chandor-Cavorim has been a pleasant sight for relaxation to locals and also enjoy fishing at this freshwater lake. This lake could have been built by our ancestors to preserve water of the rains from the hills for paddy cultivation and freshwater fish made its habitat there. The wild animals too use this at night for drinking.
This lake served as a reservoir of water for the paddy fields that were cultivated in the winter and monsoon. At one time water from this lake was also supplied through the water department to all the local households through the tank and pipeline system which is lying in ruins there. The rampant blasting for extraction of stones that happened a few years back above the lake on the hills created a lot of mud and stones to wash in this lake and land filled it partly with this sand. The various assurances given by MPs, MLAs and ZP members to protect and preserve this lake is all in empty words. The Water resources department and Goa Biodiversity Management Board take the initiative to build the falling embankment on the sides and desilt it would attract many people to enjoy its scenic beauty and also preserve this for future generations. Forest department could plant trees nearby to prevent erosion of soil in the lake.
Youth of Goa are very active on social media, please use your skills and enthusiasm to take pictures of lakes, fresh water springs, ancient wells, creeks, fallow fields, handis, khazan lands, nullahs, mangroves, and use this as evidence to correct the CZMA survey maps and plans. Everyone with greed for money are trying to choke these essential life-giving water bodies forever. These water bodies preserve the ground water table level which gives water to the wells and maintains the moisture on the soil. Please remain alert to anyone trying to choke and landfill these precious Goan water bodies. There is time for written suggestions and objections until the 15 July so please go on the CZMA website http://czma.goa.gov.in/ and views in details discuss with your elders and parents of existing water bodies and check if they exist on the CZMA maps and plans and bring to their attention. When these get officially recorded on the records and surveys no one will be able to bury them with constructions and land filling.
Goan youth please rise to the moment and write history to protect your Goan environment from the hands of the greedy for the future generations and our survival.
