Stating they would take all possible steps to avert environmental damage to the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats at Karmal Ghat, the NGO ‘Goenkar’ has decided to personally call on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to avoid a four-lane road and to consider the option of a tunnel.
Addressing a news conference in Canacona, Goenkar President Jack Fernandes made it clear that people would never allow the destruction of the Karmal Ghat and thousands of trees, which would lead to displacement of wild animals and other natural resources when there is an option to avert the destruction.
“We are going to seek an appointment with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and explain to him the importance of Karmal Ghat in the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats of the country, and how a tunnel of only 1.5 kms, instead of nearly 7 kms of hill-cutting to make a 4-lane road, can save natural assets. As a last resort, we will also approach the NGT,” said Fernandes.
Incidentally, at a meeting of the Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of Integrated Regional Office, Bengaluru, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on September 28 had given its approval to the diversion of 29.836 ha of forest land for four-laning of the existing NH-17 from 475.040 km to 611 km in Goa of BOT (Toll) basis under NHDP-III (Patradevi to Polem Section on NH-17- 136 Kms long) with certain riders.
The REC is also reported to have discussed certain issues raised in the PIL by ‘Goenkar’ against this project.
According to Fernandes, the High Court had directed the government to inform ‘Goenkar’ about the outcome of the decision at REC, where the request from Goa government was pending for forest permission.
“It is not only the environmental destruction if a 4-lane road is constructed but it will also disturb sentiments on religious lines and natural calamities like landslides could take place if the Karmal Ghat is tempered with.
“Why do they want to do this when there is a good option to build a tunnel which will have just around 1.5 kms long in place of the four-laning of the existing nearly 7 km-long road,” asked Fernandes.
