Goa's Eco-Sensitive Areas: Activists Slam Government for Recommending Removal of 45 Villages
Activists and environmentalists accuse Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of acting as a real estate agent and benefiting outsiders rather than Goans.
Ecosensitive AreasGoa GovernmentReal EstateEnvironmentalistsActivistsReal EstateSep 18, 2024
Director of Goa Foundation Claude Alvares said, “The Chief Minister should not take decisions for the village gram sabhas. The gram sabhas can decide themselves. The CM has many things to do. He should not interfere in the decisions of the gram sabhas. He should not decide for the people in the villages. They can make their decisions on their own.
“If proper discussions are held at the ground level with all the village folks, it will be clear that we do not want the real estate projects. ESA is beneficial for all the villages and it is important for them if they want to maintain their village resources.
Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said, “Goa government is in a confused mind over ESA. The Centre is concerned of protecting the environment and climate change and is continuously saying that it will not change the declared ESAs.
“The government’s move to withdraw 45 villages from ESA is because some of these areas have old mining leases. The government wants to withdraw them only to resume mining, sand mining and laterite quarry and transportation which will not be allowed in ESAs.
Another environmentalist Ramesh Gauns said, “It is not possible for the Goa government to withdraw 45 villages from ESA. The government wants these areas to resume mining activity as some of these ESAs have iron ore deposits.
Activist Swapnesh Sherlekar said, “Sawant government is actually operating as a real estate agent. ESA will be an added advantage for the villages because rapidly they are getting concretised.
Adv Shivaji Y Desai of Valpoi, said, “The issue of ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) needs to be discussed in gram sabhas of village panchayats. Most of the people in Goa do not know what is actually an ecological sensitive area?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the issue with the Goa government's recommendation to remove 45 villages from Eco-Sensitive Areas?
The recommendation has been met with criticism from activists and environmentalists, who fear that it will impact Goa's environment and benefit outsiders rather than Goans.
What is the role of gram sabhas in deciding on Eco-Sensitive Areas?
According to activists, gram sabhas should be able to decide for themselves whether or not to be included in Eco-Sensitive Areas, without interference from the government.
Why is the Goa government recommending the removal of 45 villages from Eco-Sensitive Areas?
According to environmentalists, the government wants to withdraw these areas to resume mining, sand mining, and laterite quarry and transportation, which are not allowed in ESAs.
What are the benefits of Eco-Sensitive Areas for villages?
According to activists, ESAs are beneficial for villages as they provide additional protection and help maintain village resources.
What is the concern of environmentalists regarding the removal of 45 villages from Eco-Sensitive Areas?
Environmentalists are concerned that the removal of these villages from ESAs will lead to the destruction of medicinal plants and the repetition of the Wayanad tragedy in Goa.
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