Vijai Sardesai has alleged that certain irrigation projects in Goa are being wrongly classified as “minor” projects to bypass mandatory environmental clearance requirements.
Referring to projects in Mirabag and Sanguem, Sardesai claimed that large irrigation works are being labelled as minor projects in order to avoid the need for Environmental Clearance under the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
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Calling the practice an “environmental fraud,” the MLA demanded a detailed scrutiny of such projects and the procedures followed for their approvals.
Sardesai stressed that while development is important, it must not come at the cost of Goa’s fragile ecological balance. He urged authorities to ensure that environmental regulations are strictly followed in the implementation of infrastructure and irrigation projects across Goa.
