Team Herald
MARGAO: Children of Benaulim along with their parents gathered at the Western Bypass site on Thursday to thank National Green Tribunal (NGT) for paying heed to their innocent concerns towards the environment and their villages and respond positively forming a panel to study the matter.
Reportedly same children had celebrated Children’s Day at Benaulim pledging to protect the environment from the destruction by the project, two years ago.
“We have started this movement back in the year 2019 on Children’s Day and finally our voices have been heard. We are grateful to the NGT for directing the concerned authorities to form the panel in order to study the matter”, said student Corin Da Costa.
Reacting to the NGT order Royla Fernandes, the complainant in this matter said that they are not against the Western Bypass, however, they want a balance between environment and development.
She said people need to have sustainable development and for that need the western bypass to be made over stilts. “With NGT involved, it is truly a ray of hope”, she said.
Members of State Environment impact assessment authority, Goa State Biodiversity Board, District Magistrate – South Goa, Principal Conservator of Forests, State Wetland Authority, State Pollution Board, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authorities Water Resource Department and National Wetland Authority has been instructed to visit the sites and make a study, as directed by the NGT.
“People and children of Benaulim had knocked every door possible to request peacefully to save the wetlands of Benaulim, to prevent damage to the main village of Benaulim and to all nearby villages including Seraulim, Varca, Margao, and more. But with no support from the local MLA, their cries went in vain,” she said.
“Finally, they had to make the ultimate decision, which is to approach NGT Courts to help the people with preventing nature’s wrath,” said Royla.
Royla insisted that after recent collapse of the Orlim walkway and the current flooding NGT decided to make an immediate inquiry with the help of multiple committees to send their studies and reports.
“The Local MLA not involved in any of the environmental issues such as Western Bypass, CZMP, Orlim Walkway, and more nor is supporting the activists from his own village”, she claimed.
