Goa has seen such a high degree of unplanned, haphazard so-called development, that the extent of commercial zones and settlement areas are fast become a very sparse commodity, in the process leading to agricultural, orchard, forest, hills and other eco-sensitive areas such as khazan lands being converted into real estate development zones.
In light of these realities, it may be considered that any further real estate development should be thoroughly reviewed and all stake holders, including the municipalities, panchayats and residents be taken into confidence before deciding to grant licences for construction. It may also be pertinent to note that industrial development be streamlined and controlled so that farming community is discouraged from seeking lucrative jobs in preference to agricultural activities.
Another aspect is that licences issued for the Mopa airport, a project that will entail the use of much more than a lakh square meters of land rich in exotic bio-diverse flora and fauna, a golf course which will require large quantities of water for watering the golf greens, the Vani Agro Limited beer factory which will guzzle six litres of potable water per litre of beer produced as well as the Ozone's Vanxim hotel project be reconsidered so as to prevent conversion of sparsely available land and resources especially water, be brought under control. Green Goa is fast greying and the use of land has to be well harnessed. Tiny Goa will be left with very little greenery if development is not judiciously conducted.
Elvidio Miranda, via email
