Meetings of Central teams on the much-debated eco-sensitive zones met with stiff protests in Sattari and Khola in Canacona, with large crowds turning out at the two meetings raising a banner of opposition. Poriem MLA Deviya Rane in Sattari and Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phadessai at Khola were prominent among those present.
Locals and public representatives raised concerns over how the classification would hit their lives, which depend on forest produce. In Khola, a presentation was made to highlight the impact on livelihoods because tourism-related activities were coming in the ESZ line. The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change had, in its draft notification issued in July 2022, listed 99 villages in Goa spread across Sattari, Sanguem and Canacona under eco-sensitive zones.
The hearing holds some positivity as the seven-member committee, which heard the people and the perspectives of various representatives of the government, categorically stated that all views will be taken into consideration before finalising the ESZs of the Goa region of the Western Ghats.
The ball is now in the MoEF's court, and it is for them to verify views, facts and fiction before taking a concerted and calculated call to insulate the sensitive Western Ghat region. Let's not forget the primary goal of such a demarcation is to limit the detrimental effects of certain activities on the fragile ecosystem around national parks, protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
The prohibited activities include all industries in the red category, construction of new townships and development projects, mining, sawmills, polluting industries, hydro-electric projects, tourism activities like hot air balloons over the national park and discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of hazardous substances. Coming under the regulated category are activities like the felling of trees, establishment of hotels and resorts, erection of cables, widening of roads, and adoption of heavy technology. All agricultural and horticultural practices are permitted in these zones, and so are other activities like rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources and adoption of green technology.
While there are several discrepancies in the current classification, with an overlap in some regions of villages and even municipal portions shown in the demarcation, seeking a complete reversal could be detrimental to the State's interest, which is currently waging a losing battle to save its biodiversity hotspots and green cover.
While the Central team heard a section of people at both venues on Monday, it is imperative that officials do a ground-truthing exercise to ascertain the impact on livelihoods and also raise the level of awareness on the classification. A misconception is being created by vested interests that the eco-sensitive zones will force ordinary citizens out of their homes and strip them of their livelihoods.
Goa is undergoing a metamorphosis, with parcels of green land taken over by land sharks and hills being rampantly cut off overnight. The demarcation of ESZs, if done after factoring in the landscape of the State, the actual impact on livelihoods and the sensitivity of protected areas, could be a blessing in disguise and a timely intervention to salvage the fast eroding natural cover and identity of Goa.
