PANJIM: Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday again openly criticized and slammed green NGO Goa Foundation (without naming it) for trying to halt the State government’s ambitious garbage treatment plant projects, by approaching the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and challenging the setting up of the facility on environmental grounds.
“We are also concerned about the environment, and the garbage menace has its major impact on environment degradation. If we can’t treat and handle the garbage generated, the environment will get affected,” Parrikar said.
“Hence there is need to treat this garbage and setting up of garbage (treatment) facility is a major step towards making Swacch Goa,” he added, castigating the green NGO for trying to disturb the State’s development in the name of environment.
Parrikar said the State will not promote any project which can have an adverse impact on the environment.
The Union Defence Minister said the government cannot stop garbage creation but it can work a solution for garbage disposal. “For the last ten years, High Court and NGT are struggling to get a solution for the problem but could not. Now when State has got the solution, there are these NGOs to raise objections,” he stated.
He questioned why the Green NGO is silent on Karnataka government’s frequent attempts to divert the Mhadei river water, which if happens will have an impact on the entire State’s ecology. “I have to find the answer for their silence on this matter,” he added.
Parrikar appealed to the people to adopt a New Year resolution of having a positive approach towards all the State development projects.
The government has proposed setting up of solid waste garbage treatment facilities at Saligao in North Goa and Cacora in South Goa.
