the goan I network
PANAJI
Solidarity to Save Chimbel lake held its one-day token strike on Saturday at Azad Maidan to protest against the setting-up of the Information Technology Park at Chimbel. The group alleges that the IT park threatens to destroy the bio-diversity of the lake and its surrounding areas.
Several activists, concerned citizens and politicians extended their support to the movement to save Chimbel Lake on Saturday, including Goa Green Brigade, Chimbel Manch, Merces Manch Welfare Association Goa Helping Hands, Aam Admi Party and several other politicians and social organisations.
Speaking to the media, Ana Gracias, Convenor of the Solidarity to Save Chimbel Lake, said that the people of Chimbel will not give up their struggle to save the lake from destruction while questioning the motive and failure to book the culprits involved in setting the green forested areas around Chimbel Lake on fire.
Gracias further claimed that despite having registered complaints with the police and the fire brigade, the authorities concerned had failed to nab the culprits due to political pressure.
Avertino Miranda, Co-ordinator, Goa Green Brigade, appealed to the Goa Government to shelve the IT project at Chimbel.
The state government to instead focus on promoting the development of IT related projects at the Verna Industrial Estate, Goa’s first and only officially designated IT Park area, he said..
Miranda alleged that IT minister had used goons to assault those opposing the IT park, even blaming him for attacks on activist from the area. He also alleged that the IT minister had misused the police in the matter.
Reiterating his commitment to save the Chimbel Lake, member of the Goa Helping Hands Rodolfo Fernandes, said the lake is rich in animal and plant life and must not be allowed to be destroyed at any cost.
On the recent threat issued by the IT minister to set-up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Fernandes’ land purchase in Chimbel 23 years back, he said his property ownership papers had clear title and that he would fully cooperate with the SIT to clear the false allegations made against him by the IT Minister Rohan Khaunte of the government land grab.
Fernandes, accused Khaunte of retaliating against him for having supported the people of Chimbel in saving their lake and diverting from the main issue of the environmental threat posed to the Chimbel lake by the IT project. He also alleged that the minister was attempting to cover-up the Alvara land grab at Survey No. 42/2 at Chimbel lake.
Social activist, Santan Correia, member of the Goa Helping Hands questioned the promise made by the IT Minister to employ 3,000 Goans in the proposed IT Park at
Chimbel.
He alleged that the state government hasn’t did not make any attempts to train the locals in IT skills.
“If we go by the history of Goa Government on providing employment to locals it’s very dismal, but the record in destroying Goa’s environment was a very high,” Correia added.
