TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
TIVIM: In a bid to build further opposition to rampant sand extraction activities along the river at Colvale, the Colvale church has decided to raise the issue at the next meeting of its parish council.
Speaking to Herald, the Colvale parish priest and moderator of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) have vowed to make every parishioner of Colvale aware about the harmful effects of the massive sand extraction dangerously close to the Colvale Church.
Disregarding the government’s ban on illegal sand extraction, a number of sand extractors have been openly extracting sand from the Chapora River at Colvale. These activities have posed a serious threat to structures lying close to the riverbank, including the Colvale church.
The Parish Priest had stated that about 35 boats, most of them fitted with motors, have been extracting huge quantities of sand after making multiple trips on a daily basis.
“As parish priest of Colvale Church, it is my responsibility to protect the structure of the Church and I shall do everything possible in this regard. I shall make every parishioner aware that the church structure could collapse in the near future, due to massive sand extraction in the Chapora River,” said Fr Simao Rodrigues.
Agreeing with Fr Rodrigues, the PPC Moderator Servo Fernandes said the issue of unabated sand extraction will be raised at the PPC meeting.
“We cannot remain silent and watch the Church collapse due to massive sand extraction in the Chapora River,” said Fernandes.
