the goan I network
OLD GOA
The Goa State Wetlands Authority (GSWA) held a public consultation meeting for people of Santa Cruz as well as the stakeholders, to get their views, suggestions and objections on the declaration of Bondvoll Lake as wetland.
The consultation, which is probably the first of its kind in the State, was attended by hundreds of locals from the village as well as representatives of Calapur Communidade and was held at the St Cruz high school premises on Wednesday, with the Nodal Officer of GSWA Dr Pradip Sarmokadam heading the same.
“Suggestions can be given in writing or through email within the next 7 days,” Sarmokadam informed the gathering while stating that those who want to express their views could do the same at this public consultation.
“This is the first time in our State that such consultation for declaration of wetland is held. This has been done within a short span because of a court order,” he added and informed that the consultation is held to give recommendation to the wetland authority.
Speaking at the consultation, Arturo D’Souza said documents show that in 1908, the Bondvoll lake was declared as a public utility project, by an order.
“This should be noted as there is a SC order which states that no land, which belongs to a community or communidade, can have private ownership,” he pointed out.
He further stated that people are planting trees on the embankment of the lake, which poses danger to the embankment. “Authorities concerned should not allow such activity,” he demanded.
“Water from Bondvoll neutralizes the salinity of saline water, which helps farmers in cultivating their fields, hence the lake is very important for agriculture,” D’Souza further opined.
On the issue of whether Bondvoll is a lake, reservoir or stream, Elsa Dias stated that in 1901, when the Communidade took up development of the area, there was no record whether it was considered as lake, reservoir or stream.
“When this record is not available, we cannot argue on the same in 2019,” she stated.
Domnic Fernandes said that wells are replenished because of Bondvoll Lake. “So it has to be maintained at all cost,” Fernandes said and stated that because of one farmer, hundreds of farmers should not be made to suffer.
Special attorney of Calapur Communidade Peter Gonsalves said that the lake water is not used only for drinking purpose, but also for socio-economic activities like irrigation and agriculture.
“It consists of 12 metre height, 180 metres length and the storing capacity is 89.569 hectares of land which corresponds to almost 90,000 sq. metres water carrying capacity,” Gonsalves informed.
“Water conservation is very important as it cannot be produced. There is need to protect biodiversity of the lake and the buffer zone of 200 metres should also be maintained,” he added.
Another speaker Olavio Fernandes said there should not be any tenancy in the catchment area of the lake.
Former MLA Victor Gonsalves also spoke on the occasion. St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, sarpanch Lawrence Rodrigues, panchas and others were present at the meeting.
No decision without consulting people: Wetlands Authority
