Goa Foundation is a respectful NGO, helped the state get revenue through mining: Opposition MLAs

PORVORIM: The opposition members came out in support of the NGO Goa Foundation stating that “it is a very respectful NGO and helped the State to get revenue through mining”. 

 The opposition including Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and AAP MLA Venzy Viegas raised strong objections to Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane’s statement calling the Goa Foundation a “fraud” and “pain for the State of Goa” and asked him to withdraw his words 

“It is only because of Goa Foundation that today the State is expected to get a lot of revenue from mining…around Rs 45,000 crore…mining is starting. Because of Goa Foundation, we are getting the revenue,” Yuri and Vijai said. 

On the other hand, Viegas said, “Goa Foundation is a very respectable NGO. It is not right to speak like this and the Minister needs to take back his words with regards to Goa Foundation and Dean D’Cruz. They are very respectable people and organisations.” 

The opposition led by Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, demanding immediate implementation of the High Court order, were of the clear view that the Tiger Reserve need to be looked as a “Goa-centric issue” and in the interest of River Mhadei, which is facing a serious threat of water diversion by Karnataka. 

Yuri said that the dislocation of people is a concern, but the subject needs to be looked at as Goa-centric and in the prospect of Goa. He pointed out how the people were displaced for various government projects like the Selaulim dam, and Konkan Railway among others. 

“We need to take all the people, likely to be affected, into confidence and solutions need to be worked out,” said Yuri. 

“The issue is not about tiger v/s locals but the issue is about preserving, and protecting our wildlife and mother (river) Mhadei. According to me, it has to be declared as a tiger reserve. Looking at the Mhadei fiasco, this is a serious issue,” Yuri said, adding that “Picture should not be created that those demanding declarations of the tiger are against the people. This cannot be painted.”

 The Opposition Leader said that it is a watertight judgment and needs to be accepted. He further said that there are no better people than those residing in the sanctuary to protect the wildlife and Tiger Reserve. 

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai sought to know the clear-cut stand of the government on the issue. “Tiger is a national animal. The government needs to act to protect the tiger as it will have a direct link to our Mhadei case,” he said. 

Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas questioned the government’s intention to declare Mhadei as a Tiger Reserve. He pointed out that the frequent tiger sighting by locals and the death of four tigers including cubs in January 2020 was the turning point for the need for a Tiger Reserve. “We have three months to declare tiger reserve and hence it is important that the government create necessary awareness among people,” he said.