THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
The Cavelossim Villagers Forum has demanded that the government come clear on the issue of environment clearance before taking up the breakwater project at the river Sal mouth and name the agencies that will be held responsible in the event the breakwater facility causes damage to the environment.
A day after boat owners operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty blamed the NGO for the impasse on the breakwater project after two fishing boats ran aground at the moth of River Sal in the last two days, Forum President Adv Irish Passainha further asserted that the government cannot go ahead with the project when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is yet to dispose of the case.
“Let me make it clear that environment clearance is a pre-requisite before starting the project. The government started the project without the required environment clearance and the project was stopped subsequently due to non-compliance,” Adv Irish said.
He pointed out that Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) had started work on the construction of the retaining wall without permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and sans the mandatory environment clearance. The boat owners cannot blame the Forum or the activists if the government had failed to obtained the required permission and clearances before commencing work, he added.
Saying that even Goa-based scientists have cautioned the government before taking up the construction of the retaining wall and the break water facility, Adv Irish quoted a scientist as saying that the government should explore alternate ways to handle the situation at the River Sal mouth. “As our matter is pending before the NGT, government cannot go ahead with the project. The government is not above the law. The government cannot execute illegal works,” he warned.
Saying that the issue is pending and no final decision has been given by the NGT in the case, he said the government has not obtained the environment clearance for the project.
