ARLEKAR'S WORRIES
* The gaming vessel is anchored within 100 meters of the bird sanctuary, a protected area
* Nuisance within the radius of the protected areas can have direct impact on the birds and ecology
* Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has ruled out the possibility of shifting casino operator from Ribandar
--------------
CoP TO STATE GOVT
* The present position of the vessel is 400 metres clear from the river bank abreast of the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
-------------------------
Close on the heels of Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar seeking removal of casino vessel from its current berthing off the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, the Captain of Ports (CoP) has denied receiving any written communication to this effect from the Forest Department.
Speaking to The Goan, Captain of Ports James Braganza stated, “As of now, we have not received any written communication from the Forest Department.”
He was responding to Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar’s remarks accusing the CoP of failing to submit a report on permission granted to the casino vessel to be berthed near the bird sanctuary. Arlekar had sought removal of the vessel from the protected zone before birds and environment are impacted by the pollution from Floatel near the sanctuary.
However, the CoP has responded to the State Government’s letter stating that “The present position of the vessel is 400 metres clear from the river bank abreast of the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary”.
A massive gathering recently of locals from Ribandar and adjoining areas in protest against the vessel anchored in River Mandovi near Ribandar had prompted the Forest Minister to disallow the casino from operating close proximity of the sanctuary.
The notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi on the eco-sensitive zone for Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary states that, “in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), clause (v) and clause (xiv) of sub-section (2) and sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) read with sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby notifies an area up to the river bank abutting the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on the three sides of the said Sanctuary and to the extent of 100 meters on the eastern side towards Chorao village from the Sanctuary in the State of Goa as the Eco-sensitive Zone, details of which are as under, namely:”
Extent and Boundaries of Eco-sensitive Zone
(1) The extent of Eco-sensitive Zone shall be upto the river bank abutting the sanctuary on the three sides of the Wildlife Sanctuary and to the extent of 100 meters on the eastern side towards Chorao village from the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary within the State of
(2) The Eco-sensitive Zone is bounded on the three sides ie, North, West and South by the Mapusa river and the Mandovi river and the village Chorao of Tiswadi Taluka is located towards the Eastern side.
