Team Herald
PANJIM: Youth from across Goa, under the “Save Mollem” campaign banner, on Saturday demanded that Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant immediately revoke the State-level approvals granted to the three linear projects – double tracking of railway line, power transmission line and the national highway expansion – passing through the protected areas of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park.
Addressing media persons on Saturday, the youth, including a 10-year old boy, also urged every single Goan, to put their age, religion and apolitical affiliation aside and rise as one to protect and save Goa from destruction in the name of development.
The youth have agreed to hold talks with the government on the project, with a prior condition that the permissions granted be revoked immediately in public interest.
They said that the Chief Minister should issue directions to Forest Department to revoke the forest clearance granted to these projects. “Also ask the department not to issue any work orders to fell trees for the power transmission line,” they demanded.
They further said, “Also, stop all works related to railway double tracking on non-forest land. Or else, government will have to face our agitations and uprising of many more youth from Goa.”
The youth brigade pointed out how youth, scientists, doctors, lawyers, architects, veterinarians and other concerned citizens have made numerous representations to the Central and State governments citing the irreversible damages to the Mollem National Park and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, which is part of a global biodiversity hotspot.
“By not revoking the clearances and destroying the Western Ghats, government is destroying our future,” they charged.
They said that their goals and values are clear and their vision for development does not involve destroying forests. “We will strive to safeguard and create a Goa that future generations can thrive in,” they said, adding, “We will not compromise on our intergenerational equity… our natural resources are our shared inheritance.”
