PANJIM, OCT 2
The Caritas-Goa and Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has appealed to people in the State to promote the environmental value of biodiversity as a common responsibility.
In a joint message to mark ‘Social Apostolate Day’ on October 3, the two church bodies stated that care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity.
“It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate-animals, plants, the natural elements-simply as one wishes, according to one’s own economic needs,” the message states.
Commenting on the ecological situation in the State, Caritas-Goa and CSJP highlighted three of the “degrading conditions” — land, the mining industry and garbage menace — that needed urgent attention and action.
“Much of our vast cultivable lands, particularly the khazan lands, lie fallow for various reasons. The frequently expressed excuses are that in today’s context agriculture is labour intensive, there is scarcity of adequate labour force as most prefer soft jobs and the monsoons are erratic.”
“Khazans are very often flooded with salt water due to breaches in the neglected bunds and hence paddy cultivation is not economically viable.”
“We in Goa who were years back self-sufficient, prefer to buy the different varieties of rice available in the market. Quite a number of these highly-priced varieties are of low nutritional value.”
“Rice has always been the staple diet of Goans. Both Kharif and Rabi (Vaiygonn) crops were grown in many parts; and in the hot season, with water from the field-wells and ponds, chillies, onions, a variety of other vegetables and beans were grown. Sadly this activity is declining. We buy all these from the market,” the message added.
Claiming that thousands of people in other States ‘toil in the soil’ for Goan Consumers, the Caritas-Goa and CJSP was heartened to note that some highly educated youth were returning to cultivate their ancestral lands.
“This example should get wide publicity to urge others to return to the soil, enrich it and produce our own food,” the two church bodies said.
Commenting on the mining industry, they noted that illegal mining for iron ore is rapidly destroying Goa.
“Politicians make statements that this industry provides jobs to a large number of people and hence must be permitted to prosper.”
“This only reveals how little these persons in power are concerned about the irreparable destruction of the lower slopes of the Western Ghats, the devastating pollution of air, soil and water which threaten the basic health and well-being of the people of the area, including the labour force.”
“They seem to be blind to the reality of loss of traditional occupations and livelihood of farmers and others who earned on the produce of the forest. Should not the Government have taken immediate steps to stop illicit mining activities? If this is not bad Governance, what else is it? Goans, awaken and together save our hills, our forests, the ‘aam admi’ of those areas and rest of us,” the message stated.
On the issue of garbage menace, the two bodies stated that the picturesque face of Goa has been sullied by mounds of garbage and filth everywhere, be it on beaches, along roadways and markets.
“Hotels, casinos, barges, housing societies and even citizens are responsible for this shamefully distressing situation. Sewage is released with impunity in drains, ponds, streams, rivers and the sea. The sewerage system is faulty in most places.”
“Repairs are slow, if complaints are ever attended to. Where are those responsible? Why are we citizens neglecting our duties to make them accountable,” asked the CSJP and Caritas-Goa.
They have proposed to organise a meaningful celebration of this day with a discussion on ‘Alternative Energies – A Way towards the Future’.
