VASCO
Concerned about a NASA report identifying Mormugao among several Indian coastal cities which could be submerged by the end of the century, environmentalists and activists in Mormugao have called for urgent mitigation and preventive measures to safeguard Goa’s coastline.
When contacted, Vasco-based environmentalist Savio Correia said climate change and consequent sea-level rise is real.
“It's happening and it’s here. The time for naysaying is over. Last month, we saw unusual heat waves across the US and Canada. Closer home, cyclone Tauktae and the recent floods were unprecedented. The NASA report only confirms our apprehensions,” said Correia.
“We now have to look at mitigation and preventive measures on a war footing. We need to start now.”
Correia said Goa needs to protect natural coastal defences like sand dunes, mangroves, khajans and wetlands.
“We need to identify vulnerable areas and flood-proof and disaster-proof any new development thereon.”
Commenting on Vasco, Correia said Vasco Bay beach (Kharewaddo beach) offers the only protection and needs to be restored and rejuvenated.
“Likewise, Maimollem and Baina Lakes act like natural rainwater sponges and need to be conserved. Declaring them as wetlands and keeping a no-development buffer would be the first step. New development in and along low-lying areas of the town needs to be disaster-proofed,” Correia added.
Chicalim Parish Priest Fr Bolmax Pereira, an environmental activist who is also an assistant professor of Botany at St Joseph Vaz College in Cortalim, said global warming and climate change is happening and the consequences would be disastrous for the next generation.
“Being listed as one of 12 coastal endangered cities, Mormugao (Vasco) will be under 2.06 feet of water, as stated in the report. This should be enough for any simple Goan to understand that Goa’s entire coast is in danger in the future.”
“Also important to note is the NASA evaluation of the IPCC report, which states that a steady rise in sea level will increase the incidence of flooding in low-lying areas near the sea. This means we will witness floods in Goa more often.”
Fr Pereira said the recent Mhadei floods in Valpoi and Usgao should serve as a sufficient warning along with IPCC and NASA warning.
“We seriously need to change the way we are 'destructively developing'. We still have the last chance to contribute to the mitigation of man-made natural disasters.”
“Let's focus on what we can save by increasing our forest cover by planting more trees, respect environment laws and CRZ rules, better disaster management and a decrease in fossil fuel emissions less. Only collective and collaborative action can save us,” Fr Pereira added.
Captian Viriato Fernandes, social and environment activist and state convenor of Goencho Avaaz Party, said alarm bells being sounded for many years by various environmental groups and concerned citizens have now come to haunt with the report released by NASA associated agency confirming that Mormugao will also get submerged.
“I had stressed this point while explaining the CZMP Plan for Mormugao in September 2019 to the special council meeting of MMC. Despite this, political bosses seem to be clueless about this global danger staring at our own town. Hope the authorities wake up to take stock of the revelation. Better late than never,” he said.
