“This is not right (time)…I don’t want to speak on this issue now. I have spoken about it much, today is environment day and I don’t want to take such questions,” the Minister told the media on the sidelines of World Environment Day function organized by the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
Asked about the allegation levied against her for fraudulently granting Environment Clearance (EC) to the Tiracol golf course and resort project, Saldanha refused to answer, saying “no…not”.
The issue of Marinas in Sancoale Bay has created a rift between the Minister and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who in-principle granted approval to the project.
through the Investment Promotion Board. Saldanha is opposing the proposed project as it is likely to affect the livelihood of the fishing community in the area, which is also a bio-diversity hot-spot. Saldanha has, however, not been vocal on the Tiracol project.
Earlier, addressing the function, the Minister said that the State should focus on ‘sustainable’ and ‘need’ based development, not at the cost of Mother Earth. “The land resource in Goa is scarce. We need to think whether we are building or constructing as per our need. Human prosperity should not be at the cost of earth,” she said.
Speaking on the occasion, Panjim MLA Siddharath Kuncolienkar indirectly took a dig at the NGO opposing developmental project on the issue of environment. “Development cannot be stopped just by raising environment concern. But both can go hand in hand,” he said.
The MLA appealed to NGOs not to go to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), every time opposing developmental projects. “It’s time we need to convince court on the developmental projects,” he said.
The theme of the World Environment Day 2015 was ‘Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care’. GSPCB chairman Jose Manuel Noronha and member secretary Levinson Martins were present on the occasion.
