THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Retired Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Ferdino Rebello has stressed the importance of protecting Goa’s agricultural land for future generations, arguing that development must be considered in the context of available water, electricity, sewerage and other infrastructure.
Justice Rebello also spoke at length about agricultural land, carrying capacity, environmental protection, intergenerational equity and the need for citizens to remain engaged.
He emphasised that the Enough is Enough initiative was not aligned to any political party and called for people to work together.
He was speaking at a community conversation on the future of Goa brought concerned citizens together at Children’s Park, Dialgona, Telaulim. A common message emerging from the gathering: protecting Goa cannot be left to a few individuals, it requires people who care about Goa to come together.
The meeting, facilitated by Goyche Fudle Pilge Khatir (GFPK) under the Enough Is Enough initiative, focused on concerns surrounding development, the environment, agricultural land, infrastructure, accountability and the future of coming generations.
Opening the discussion, GFPK president Jack Mascarenhas stressed the importance of community participation and distinguished between what he called “Bridge Builders” and “Ladder Builders”.
“Those who build bridges help others move forward and grow together,” he said, emphasising that Goa needs more people willing to work together without seeking personal gain.
Navelim parish priest Fr Gabriel Coutinho, who addressed the gathering, spoke about the relationship between development, the community and future generations. Referring to the example of St Francis of Assisi and his relationship with nature, he stressed the importance of caring for the environment.
Fr Gabriel said that when projects and development are considered, people must look beyond individual interests and ask what benefits the community and future generations. He described unity as essential and suggested that development should ultimately be reflected in the wellbeing and happiness of the people.
Govind Shirodkar, spokesperson for the Enough Is Enough initiative, outlined several of the concerns behind the 10-point charter and spoke about the need to protect Goa’s agricultural land and ensure that development takes into account the State’s carrying capacity and available infrastructure.
