‘They saw the site on google and felt it was an ideal site for marinas’

Vishnu Wagh: The matter is very clear, the Investment Promotion Board has cleared the proposal of setting up of the marinas in principle. There will be certain conditions levied on the promoters that they need to get clearances from various government agencies. It is the onus of these bodies whether to clear the project or not. So when the party gets all these permission then only it will be treated as government has given final nod to marinas. Now, it is our responsibility to apprise all the government bodies about what is the people’s feeling towards marinas. 

Herald: Don’t you think your chief minister, who is the chairman of the Goa Investment Promotion Board, should not have allowed marinas in Zuari (Sancoale and Nauxi) bay because of the impact this wil have on the environment? 

Wagh: Technically yes, he should not have entertained the proposals of setting up of marinas in Nauxi which is in Zuari bay which falls in my constituency. But I can understand him as the board is mainly peopled by those from the industry who know only trade and commerce. They are not environmentalists and social scientists. They do not seem to have taken the pains to go to Nauxi and Sancoale physically to check what are the ground realities with the people who have been residing there for centuries. Especially Nauxi which is a small cove which forms part of Siridiao bay which houses about 500 –600 people belonging to the ST and fishermen community. They just saw the site on google and felt it was an ideal site for marinas and proposed this before the board. 

Herald: What is your view on the Goa Investment Promotion Board?

Wagh: Goa Investment Promotion Board should be very firm about the directions which are to be given to industry. They must list out what is good for Goa and accordingly prioritize. There is no point in getting any project that will prove detrimental to Goa’s social and environmental health. Any talk of providing employment at the cost of people’s livelihood of traditional occupants will not hold any water.

Herald: You have been protesting the marinas and supporting the locals in your constituency, but did you take the opportunity to convey this to your national president who was in Goa and have you interacted with him? 

Wagh: I was the only MLA who has spoken to BJP national president Amit Shah on the issue of marinas. I spoke to Shah on two points of which one was marinas. I asked him that if state government has to get any projects, should it not consult the concerned MLA who represents those villages? Then I gave him the example of marinas. I said how can Goa Investment Promotion Board give a nod to marinas without consulting the local MLA of the constituency?