the goan I network
MARGAO
The Colva Civic & Consumer Forum (CCCF) has written to authorities concerned, including the Goa State Biodiversity Board, Collector South Goa, the Colva Village Panchayat, the Water Resources Department, over the football tournament planned in the low-lying lake area.
Addressing the media, CCCF secretary Judith Almeida said the Forum will move the National Green Tribunal with a contempt petition against the Colva panchayat and all those who are interfering with the lake area, saying the NGT will take a call on the lake land only after a study is conducted.
Colva Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes, however, said the Colva panchayat has so far not intervened in the matter since there’s no damage done to the lake area. He said only the goal posts have been erected in the area to conduct a two-day soccer tournament, adding there’s no damage done to the fields.
Judith Almeida, however, told the media that the football tournament will damage the rich biodiversity of the area, saying the village panchayat, which is the occupier of the wetland, has remained silent and is complicit in the illegal activity.
“We demand that the Collector South Goa take immediate action including legal steps to stop the illegal activity and honour the law of the land. The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum is in the process of exploring urgent legal measures,” she added.
The CCCF has been waging a battle for over a decade now to preserve and protect the lake area. “This wetland belongs to a natural network of low-lying areas and acts as a main drain during the monsoons from Velsao to Varca coastal villages,” Judith said, as she addressed the media in the presence of Shakuntala Mesquita and Heraclio Fernandes on Monday.
“For years now there has been an attempt to fill up this over three to four meter deep lake. The NGT on September 26, 2014, in Appeal 13 of 2014 passed a balanced order wherein the GSBB was entrusted with conducting a study of the biodiversity of the area. The CCCF has been regularly pursuing this issue with the GSBB. Finally in September 2018 Expressions of Interest were released. The Government of Goa which has been dragging its feet is finally expected to release the required funds,” she added.
