MARGAO
Secretary (Environment) Daulat Havaldar on Tuesday said that conversion of land in Goa to pave way for structures for the state’s development had an impact on the state’s bio-diversity.
He was sharing his thoughts at the day-long celebration of International Day For Biological Diversity 2018 organised by the Goa State Biodiversity Board in association with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Biodiversity Authority on the theme “Celebrating 25 years of Action for Biodiversity”, here, on Tuesday.
“Desire has become the central theme of material development. You know the kind of material development in Goa. There’s big talk of land-use pattern in Goa. The way land has been converted and the structures coming up in Goa, all these material development had an impact on the bio-diversity,” Havaldar said.
He said the invention of credit, which has only given rise to consumerism coupled with the fact the people tend to copy the west, has given rise to new lifestyle and is one of the contributory factors of global warming.
Havaldar also touched on the issue of wealth structure, saying there’s unequal development with 50 per cent per of the population owning nothing.
Expressing concern about the human tendency of mortgaging the future life for their present day needs, he said sacred groves which exist in many parts of the State are the part of the Goan culture that needs to be preserved. Western lifestyle is aspirational and addictive lifestyle has dangerous consequences. Major consequence of Western lifestyle gives rise to global warming, he remarked.
Noted environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar, whose book “Sacred Groves of Goa” was released on the occasion, said that the local tribes have protected the sacred groves in the talukas of Tiswadi, Bardez and Salcete.
Sessions on Importance of Mangroves and Involvement of Biodiversity Management Committes for conservation efforts, Centre of excellence for sustainable development on mainstreaming of biodiversity in business learning and best practices and Role of ICAR in supporting Biodiversity Management Committes for conservation of local species were held during the course of the day.
On the occasion, Chairman of Curtorim Bio-diversity Committee Santan Rodrigues received the award for being one of the first panchayats for formulating the detailed bio-diversity register, while Melvyn Sanches received the award for preparation of the detailed bio-diversity register. Progressive farmer Pravas Naik was also honoured.
Members, Goa State Biodiversity Board; Chairpersons, Secretaries and Members of Biodiversity Management Committees; Village Panchayat Members and stakeholders concerned with environment and biodiversity attended the programe.
Member Secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board Pradip Sarmokadam welcomed while Director, Department of Environment, IAS, Ravi Jha, IAS, proposed the vote of thanks.
