President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a 3-day visit to Goa, immediately connected with the State while touching upon critical issues that have stood out in public discourse in recent times. VVIPs usually read out a pre-drafted script that appeases the State and its government while skirting those aspects that could ring in embarrassment. Murmu may not have the oratory charisma of tall leaders, but the points she raised touched the heart of Goa.
At the civic reception at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, Murmu paid rich tributes to Goa's cosmopolitan culture and praised the common civil code, saying it sets a good example for the rest of the country. She hailed the strength of 'girl education' in higher educational institutions of Goa and called for a further boost to women's participation in the workforce. She heaped praise on the State for striking a balance between modernity and tradition and spoke of the new Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
However, in this elaborate moment of praise, the President also made a pitch to save forests within the Western Ghats while stressing the importance of ecological heritage to Goa's growth. Interestingly, Murmu termed the State's lush greenery 'priceless assets' and called for protecting dense forests nestled within the Western Ghats. She spoke of how the Western Ghats serve as a critical habitat for diverse wildlife.
A certain positivity and plain innocence in the President's message on forests resonated with the common man. She may have struck a raw nerve somewhere in the government, but there was a distinct element of truth. These words about protecting ecology and wildlife come when the State government fiercely opposes a tiger reserve and even contests the high court's ruling, despite knowing for a fact that this could be a blessing in disguise in Goa's battle against Mhadei water diversion.
By any measure, the HC's observations, while giving its order should have driven any dispensation into introspection and course correction. Apparently, that did not happen. On the contrary, the reverse happened, and adamancy crept in.
On the very day the President was dwelling on protecting forest cover and wildlife, the State government announced the appointment of senior counsel and former attorney general of India Mukul Rohatgi to challenge the high court order on tiger reserve. The counsel's name reflects how seriously the government is pursuing the issue if one is to ponder over legal teams deployed to fight other State cases.
The President's plea comes at a time when the people of Goa are fighting a pitched battle to save forests. It comes at a time when the scars left behind by the forest fires have not healed. It comes at a time when authorities and departments are paying lip service to forest conservation and protecting the environment. It comes at a time when real estate giants are taking over massive parcels of green lands, and the topography of the State is changing.
We agree entirely with the President that ecological heritage is essential for the State's growth, and the people of Goa will agree too. We only hope that those in power and those who are entrusted with the responsibility as guardians of the land understand this reality that the President has conveyed.
