MARGAO: Citing the study report by IIT-Bombay pertaining to soil erosion, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao stated that this is one more warning bell for the BJP government to re-think on destructive three linear projects.

Reacting to the a recent study by Prof Pennan Chinnasamy and Ms Vaishnavi Honap, at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), revealing rapidly increasing soil erosion in the Western Ghat region (WGR) he said that this data needs to be studied and corrective measures needs to be taken on war footing basis by the Goa Government.

LoP urged the Chief Minister to invite the team of IIT-Bombay to give a presentation to all the members of the Goa Legislative Assembly and environmental activists of Goa.

“We have lost Mhadei, if we fail to act now we will lose Biodiversity rich

Western Ghats which will eventually convert the state of Goa into a desert,” he warned.

Few months back Indian Institute of Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had published a report on coastal erosion in the state of Goa. A similar report on soil erosion in both the districts of Goa was also published by ISRO, reminded Yuri.

He claimed that the report has categorically mention of heavy floods in the region which have drastically hit agricultural productivity, reduced water quality, affected fresh water sources and posed major ecological and socio-economic challenges and affected the unique Biodiversity of Western Ghats. It is now for the Government to take serious cognizance of the findings and recommendations of the said report.

“BJP Government’s policies are anti-environment and pro-capitalists. We must remember that it is only because of the efforts of the NGOs and activists that identity of Goa is protected. Goans will always remain indebted to the

NGOs and activists for their hard work and efforts to save Goa from destructive policies of the BJP Government,”Yuri said.