PANJIM: Even as the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) is clearing all decks to facilitate the contentious and controversial marina at Nauxim-Bambolim, the answer of the State government in the Legislative Assembly earlier this year has revealed its approach towards the environmental and ecological concerns of the areas.
Replying to a question by Velim MLA Cruz Silva during the last Monsoon Session whether any study as assured by the Chief Minister has been carried out suo moto by the department to check the feasibility and impact of such a project on the environment and locals?
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The Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said, “No such study has been carried out to assess the feasibility and impact of such a project on the environment and locals.”
He said, “However, a project entitled “Geo-morphological studies and EIA/EMP for the sand mining clusters of rivers in Goa” is being undertaken. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dona Paula is the agency selected to carry out the study.”
The second question of the Velim MLA was: “Whether the government received any directive to hold a public hearing on the marina project proposed at Nauxim, Bambolim in St Andre constituency by Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) or the developer of the project?”
The reply by the Minister was that the government has not received any direction to hold the public hearing on the marina project proposed at Nauxim, Bambolim in St Andre constituency by MPA or the project developer.
However, in the same question the Minister of Environment furnished information that windowpane oyster, which is protected under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is found in Nauxim-Cacra Bay and Sancoale Bay of Zuari River and is an endangered species.
This report on the Cataloguing of Fish and Shellfish Biodiversity along the Zuari Estuarine System, Goa has been prepared and submitted by premier agency ICAR.
