Team Herald
PANJIM: After Bondvoll lake in St Cruz, State Minister for Environment Nilesh Cabral on Wednesday announced that three more water bodies- Dhasi in Rivona, Nanda in Curchorem and Xeldem in Quepem are set to be declared as ‘wetlands’ as per the Union Environment Ministry’s Rule.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Cabral said to the press that the notification to declare above mentioned water bodies as wetlands would be issued shortly, after chairing Goa Wetland Board meeting.
The minister further disclosed that following request from the villagers, additional 30-day time is granted to submit suggestions and objection with regards to finalisation and declaration of Carambolim Lake (Carambolim), Durga Lake (Chinchinim) as wetlands.
Following request from the people, the government has decided to permit certain activities like paddy cultivation, renovation of existing structures, etc within Wetland’s zone of influence, as identified by the National Institute of Oceanography.
He said that within 50 meters of the wetland buffer zone, government intends to allow setting up of STP, to ensure that waste discharge from the houses in that zone, get dissolved in the wetland.
Further, the minister said that NIO, the expert agency, is granted another six months extension for identification of wetlands along with activities as allowed and prohibited under Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
“The extension is granted following approval from National Green Tribunal. NIO was unable to complete the exercise in view of COVID-19 enforced lockdown,” he said.
The draft notification for more water bodies- Toyaar Lake (Chimbel), Pilerne Lake (Pilerne), Sarzora Lake (Sarzora), Sulabhat Lake (Agassaim), Talaulim lake (Talaulim), Tarvalem Lake and Udden Lake (Shiroda), Mayem Lake (Bicholim), Curtorim Lake (Curtorim), Sonbem Lake (Maina), Macazana Lake (Macazana), Comunidade Lake (Guirdolim), Ambulor Lake (Verna), Kamla Tollem (Benaulim), would be issued wherein public can submit their inputs within 60 days.
Cabral said that total 545 wetlands were identified by NGT.
