PANJIM: There have been an increase in landslides around the world in 2024. As Climate change takes its toll their frequency is increasing. Plantation farming and extremely heavy rain in Kerala contributed to the Wayanad tragedy. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV asked people due to rampant hill cutting and destruction of green cover whether Goa is vulnerable to Waynard-like destruction.
Goa and Kerala are all part of Western Ghats. For what happened in Waynard to happen in Goa is just a matter of time. If we don’t improve, the situation will be such that we won’t be able to stay in Goa. People and the elected representatives have to understand this. Will you abandon this place with your children and Goan and will you leave Goans to dig their graves, people should ask them this question. Our ancestors knew that nothing should be built on the mountains. There is a need for trees on the mountains and the slopes, so that the water stays on the mountains which are reservoirs. Now the water is gushing down the hills creating these disasters.
SWAPNESH SHERLEKAR, Goencho Ekvott
Landslides are occurring because we are making changes to land use pattern. The mountains and slopes which had indigenous tree cover, are being felled and used for horticultural purposes. The Portuguese had banned the slash-burn practices, but now this has shifted to cashew cultivation. All these areas have today become prone to landslides. If no proper study is done on these issues, we are very sure that in the present and near future, Goa is going to witness the problem of landslides.
RAJENDRA KERKAR, Environmentalist
Even the situation in Goa will be same as Waynard. Everywhere there is water. People’s houses are getting flooded. Sattari, Bicholim talukas are all flooded. Many years back in Satrem there was a major landslide. If this has to stop the government has to take major and urgent steps. When we give permission for mining, we have to think of the consequences. The mining companies keep on digging for ore creating huge craters. Not only landslides but even earthquakes can occur due to this.
RAMNATH PARAB, Social Activist
Goa and Kerala are all part of Western Ghats. For what happened in Waynard to happen in Goa is just a matter of time. If we don’t improve, the situation will be such that we won’t be able to stay in Goa. People and the elected representatives have to understand this. Will you abandon this place with your children and Goan and will you leave Goans to dig their graves, people should ask them this question. Our ancestors knew that nothing should be built on the mountains. There is a need for trees on the mountains and the slopes, so that the water stays on the mountains which are reservoirs. Now the water is gushing down the hills creating these disasters.
SWAPNESH SHERLEKAR, Goencho Ekvott
Landslides are occurring because we are making changes to land use pattern. The mountains and slopes which had indigenous tree cover, are being felled and used for horticultural purposes. The Portuguese had banned the slash-burn practices, but now this has shifted to cashew cultivation. All these areas have today become prone to landslides. If no proper study is done on these issues, we are very sure that in the present and near future, Goa is going to witness the problem of landslides.
RAJENDRA KERKAR, Environmentalist
Even the situation in Goa will be same as Waynard. Everywhere there is water. People’s houses are getting flooded. Sattari, Bicholim talukas are all flooded. Many years back in Satrem there was a major landslide. If this has to stop the government has to take major and urgent steps. When we give permission for mining, we have to think of the consequences. The mining companies keep on digging for ore creating huge craters. Not only landslides but even earthquakes can occur due to this.
RAMNATH PARAB, Social Activist
