Canacona: The ‘Save the Karmalghat’ movement initiated by local environmental activists and concerned citizens of Canacona got a boost after the Isidore Fernandes, Canacona MLA and Deputy speaker came out openly to support the demand to construct a tunnel in order to save thousands of trees on the Karmalghat for NH66 road widening.
In a five minute video the Canacona MLA and deputy speaker Isidore Fernandes is seen talking in support of the demand which is now coming from every corner of the society to avoid axing over 14,000 trees and instead, opt for a tunnel at the base of the Karmalghat between Gulem and Benurdem in Quepem taluka as part of the four laning of NH66.
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‘Team Goenkar’ a Canacona based NGO and other people from the taluka took the lead to oppose the environmental destruction which will be caused if the proposed road expansion is carried out on the present alignment on NH66 on Karmalghat.
It may be recalled that ‘Goenkar’ had filed a PIL in a local court opposing the cutting of a huge number of trees at the Karmalghat section of NH66 for which the court has directed the Highway widening proponents to inform the petitioner when they get clearances from different authorities so that they can get time to appeal before the NGT for redressal of their grievances.
The local environmental activists since then, in a novel concept, have been approaching the opinion makers, politicians, academicians and students to lend their support through small videos which are then uploaded on different social media platforms.
MLA Isidore Fernades said that the NH66 from Canacona to Margao needs to be broadened on priority to avoid the number of fatal accidents from taking place and also for other important reasons; but if there is a better alternative it has to be explored, he opined.
The proposed widening on the Karmalghat section will involve cutting of 14,000 plus endemic trees apart from the cutting of unstable hills and has to be avoided.
Fernandes informed through the video that he has expressed his opinion to safeguard the environment in letters he has written to the PMO, Union Minister for Roads and Transportation, Goa Chief Minister amongst others and expressed confidence that the authorities will go by the people’s desire and in this case, is to construct a tunnel at the base of the eco-sensitive section at Karmalghat.
