Request audience with committee to place their concerns against projects
PANAJI
Young Goans on Friday urged the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) constituted by the Supreme Court of India to recommend to the SC the revocation of clearances granted to the three linear projects in Mollem forests.
The CEC is presently visiting sites in Goa and Karnataka to understand the requirement of the three contentious infrastructure projects — doubling of railway line from Tinaghat to Vasco, 4-laning of national highway 4-A, and laying of Tamnar power transmission line.
The CEC is hearing the complaint filed before the SC by Goa Foundation raising concerns about the approvals granted to the three parallel infrastructure projects, which pass through biodiversity hotspots, by the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL).
“The youth of Goa sense that their future is at stake and they have come together cutting across religion, caste, creed and language to raise their voice against these destructive projects linked to transportation of coal and meant to help a few corporates. These projects if not stopped will destroy Goa environmentally, economically and culturally. The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park are Goa’s oldest and largest protected areas,” reads the statement issued by the representatives of Goa’s youth.
The youngsters informed that they have requested an audience with the honorable members of the CEC to place their concerns against these three destructive projects. “We are hopeful that the committee will hear our plea and take into consideration our objections towards these projects,” members of the team said.
Neola Pereira, Shirly Fernandes, Gabriella D’Cruz, Prifa Xavier, Hyacinths Aguiar, Myron Lucas and Romeo Dias, Mathson Miranda and Darina Lobo were among the representatives who sought to draw the CEC’s attention to these demands.
The youth stated that the projects will cause great loss to forest and environment without benefitting the locals even as their ancestral houses are proposed to be demolished.
“Our main demand is for recommending to the SC the revocation of these clearances. Our CM and Forest Minister should direct the Forest Department to return these proposals back to Goa Tamnar, SWR and the PWD. CEC should ask the State government to take responsibility for environmental and forest governance,” the statement pleads.
