INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Since many year now, Goa, a dream holiday spot for tourists across the world, has been struggling to protect its identity and its natural
diversity from the industrial onslaught
laning of the NH4A and double tracking of the railway line are two out of the 30 projects that has been cleared by the Ministry for
Environment, Forests and Climate Change during the lockdown.Along with laying of a 400kV transmission line, the road and railway project
could lead to one lakh trees being cut, 59,000 of them in Goa
The projects are likely to cause a loss of 170 hectares of protected forest land in Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National
limited to the handful of people who are aware about the issue, while the state government has tried to downplay the situation by rapidly
sanctioning permissions during the lockdown.To save their land from being exploited for commercial purposes, the residents of Goa have been
opting for creative ways of protesting against the decision on felling of trees.One such protest took place on the night of November 1, when
more than 5,000 locals gathered at Chandol village in the Western Ghats to dance and sing in solidarity with the forests
statement has tried to downplay the impact of these development projects on the ecology, claiming only 1,000 trees will be felled in the
However, actual felling or trimming of trees in the forest area would be 14,700, which is just 35% of the enumerated quantity
Moreover, as per the prevailing regulations, payments against the enumerated 43,201 forest trees, are being paid to the forest department
has been trying its best to defend the move in the name of public interest
Goa's environment minister Nilesh Cabral has said that the double-lining of railways will help trains pass through the Western Ghats
He has also argued that trains travel through the region at 40 kmph burning more fossil fuel than necessary.In addition, objections raised
ground reality recites a different tale
These projects, according to activists, allegedly serve the vested interests of corporates and investors who aim to convert Goa into a coal
transportation hub.The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) is at the centre of the whole issue
It is well connected through the South Central Railway and the NH17A, NH17B and NH4A.The port, located in Vasco, is primarily used for coal
and iron ore transfer and handling
Currently, its coal handling capacity is 12 mtpa (million tonnes per annum)
However, as per reports, MPT must multiply its coal handling capacity to fulfill the coal demands in the region
Adani Group, took to social media to deny the claims of activists, environmentalists and journalists.As per the 19th Electric Power Survey,
the domestic consumption of electricity in Goa stands at 26.91 per cent for the year 2021-22
The commercial and industrial consumption stands at 65.63 per cent which, according to a report in The Wire, makes it evident that the three
against the destruction of Aarey Forests in Mumbai, the destruction of area in and around Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary has also gained momentum
While most people on social media are shaming the government for their decision, few supporters of the ruling BJP have also claimed that the
protest is nothing but a political agenda of the Opposition.Taking to Twitter, nine year-old activist, Licypriya Kangujam, has shared few
photographs from her time at Mollem forests, urging Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to withdraw the permission granted for the felling of
It is also a national park
This will endanger the lives of thousands of people - the wildlife of Mollem
Plz reconsider the decision
?? pic.twitter.com/x0yLtALxSc
Govt led by @DrPramodPSawant Sir wants to destroy this beautiful Mollem Forest to open for coal mining
and railways lines and other projects
It is also a national park
This will endanger the lives of thousands of people - the wildlife of Mollem
Plz reconsider the decision
destruction of Goa's biodiversity.Thousands of Goa residents protest at Govt plans to make the state a coal hub: https://t.co/yVosY6mDxO
The proposed 400 KV line through a wildlife sanctuary -National Park along the Western Ghats will choke the lungs of Goa
