Extracts from the letter written on 16.12.2019:
1The notes on the agenda of the meeting were handed over at the start of the meeting, giving us no or little time to understand the projects that had come for approval and their merits/demerits. Further, no copies of the impact studies were circulated for us to take any informed decision in these matters.
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2 We would have appreciated if the projects were presented by the proponents instead of the Forest Department, since it sent a wrong signal to everyone.
3 We are concerned with the way the meeting was conducted with hardly any formal structured discussion or debate on serious issues, cross speaking by members, no chance for everyone to speak and haste, to get over with the agenda.
4 A total of 216 ha. of forests is sought to be diverted for these projects, most of which is pristine and virgin in nature. While the provided notes spoke of individual projects and the forest to be diverted, the impact of these projects, especially the cumulative impact on biodiversity does not find mention. e.g. what would be the impact of the high tension wires passing over the Tambdi-Surla stream on large birds like raptors, hornbills that use these open areas to fly?
5 Further, we are all aware that the railways and road projects are part of the larger scheme of things and will have an impact on wildlife throughout the stretch since wildlife exists beyond the boundaries of the Project areas
6 Many questions have remained unanswered on these projects. Proposed mitigation measures, except the overpasses and underpasses, were not discussed in the meeting. a. Compensatory afforestation needs a clear strategy. Random afforestation cannot compensate for loss of virgin tree cover.
7 Having said all of the above, it disturbs us to see that the Govt. is pushing these projects in public interest through Project Areas, while some of the villagers that have been residing in the forest areas for generations do not have access to good roads and electricity.
8 Since, we gather that the above three projects will be approved by the Board, our request is to minute our objections to the same as well as request to minute objections raised by other members during the meeting.
Signatories of the letter who are all members of the State Wildlife Board: Goa Bird Conservation Network; Vivekanand Environment Awareness Brigade; Rajendra Kerkar; Arnold Noronha; Amrut Singh; and Charan Desai.
