PANJIM: The Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee’s (CEC) recommendations against the three linear projects have rejuvenated the campaign to protect the Mollem National Park and the Wildlife Sanctuary.
The CEC, in its report called for the cancellation of the South Western Railway (SWR) track doubling project; shifting of the Tamnar power line, wherein the present alignment will be canceled and it will be taken to the existing 110 KV line. It has also stated that the national highway expansion project, which doesn’t have an Environment Clearance (EC), will now require an EC.
Team Save Mollem, a citizens’ movement to raise awareness about the threat and destructive projects cutting across Goa’s green, has hailed the recommendations adding they will continue to voice their opposition against the projects.
“We must all remember the countless efforts of all the people of Goa, who have relentlessly voiced their opposition against the destruction of Mollem forests. Together we have come a long way and will continue to do so,” the group said.
The Save Mollem team pointed out that the Tamnar project, one of the three “destructive” projects is being opposed in Karnataka as well. It said the power line project will pass through key wildlife corridors along the Western Ghats section of both States.
The Goa Forward Party took a dig at the government for allowing the three projects despite knowing the consequences on the environment. Reacting to the latest development, the party’s official Twitter handle stated, “When UNESCO and IUCN responded to our @PresidentGFP @VijaiSardesai’s plea on the three destructive linear projects, @DrPramodPSawant stood exposed in the international community as Nature’s No 1 villain. Today, the fig leaf that was left out is also gone.”
Its leader and President Vijai Sardesai also took to Twitter hailing the CEC for recommendation in the favour of Goa’s ecology. “The decision from Central Empowered Committee of #Supreme Court is first step to save our @unescowhc #Mollem forests and biodiversity of #Goa! The decision has proven that Goa’s #youth cannot be taken for granted and they are our leaders for our collective future!,” he tweeted.
The Aam Admi Party has demanded that the government should consider the CEC’s recommendations to work for the betterment of Goa “instead of fulfilling orders from high command”.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte has termed it a “Ray of Hope” claiming the fight will continue. “Supreme Court offers a ‘Ray of Hope’ to Goa’s forests and biodiversity. This is a pat on the back for environmentalists, young and old who took up the fight to save Goa’s natural beauty and bounty. The fight for clean and green Goa continues,” he said.
