PANJIM: Over 150 stakeholders have approached the Central government expressing their concern over three planned projects for Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park.
In its 8-page letter to Minister of Environment and Forests Prakash Javdekar and Minister of State (Tourism) Prahlad Singh Patel, the stakeholders have sought for revoking the decision in the interest of future tourism projects in the hinterland.
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“Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park are an integral part of the future of Goa. With these projects creating deforestation in the area, future development of hinterland tourism will be adversely affected, which directly opposes the State’s 25-year vision (approved in 2019) to revamp the economy. The current community-based tourism initiatives will also be destroyed, damaging the local economy and muting any opportunity to make Goa a global leader in sustainable tourism,” the letter reads.
The stakeholders, who claim to be from the tourism industry, alleged that lack of comprehensive policies to protect coasts and wildlife, as well as regulation of the number of tourism operators and volume of beach tourists has resulted in overcrowding and devastation of coastlines, coastal communities and wildlife habitats.
In addition to this, rising sea levels, climate change and irregular weather patterns, combined with poor infrastructure and inadequate waste management is taking an irreversible toll on Goa’s delicate ecological balance.
“We need to take steps to safeguard Goa’s main industry, tourism, and develop new models for today and more importantly, the future. Sustainable tourism is the only way forward. While India has a set of guidelines, the State’s lack of policy is a huge hurdle to the growth and standards within the industry. The principles of sustainability contribute to economic growth, balance and conserve natural and cultural resources by protecting biodiversity and increasing livelihood opportunities for local communities. The State has the ability and opportunity to bring together private industry players with the local community and government to create a flourishing hinterland tourism model,” stated the letter.
The industry stakeholders further suggested that Goa has a huge opportunity to promote both wildlife ecotourism as well as cultural and heritage tourism in the hinterland to increase state revenue, employment rates and to emerge as a global leader. “Rich biodiversity, natural beauty and cultural heritage of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park key to development of sustainable ecotourism,” it said adding, “We sincerely request you to revoke the decision to clear forest land in Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park for railway double tracking, widening of NH4A highway and laying of LILO transmission line.”
