MARGAO
Forest officials descended in Margao on Thursday, the epicenter of the Save Mollem Campaign and the agitation against the three linear project, but with a different purpose “ to invite Saxttikars for the 4th three-day Bird Festival of Goa at Mollem, beginning from February 5.
A forest official took pride in saying that Goa plays host to around 477 bird species, with most of these species found in the natural habitat in Mollem, around the wildlife sanctuary and the National park. He, however, had no answer when asked to shed light on the concerns raised by the Greens that the three linear projects would destroy the rich biodiversity and forest resources at Mollem.
The official could not further reply whether Mollem would still remain a habitat for the different species of birds if the government goes ahead with the felling of thousands of trees around Mollem to make way for the three linear projects.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is scheduled to inaugurate the bird festival at Mollem on Friday and the forest official said the questions raised by the Greens have already been brought to the notice of the Centrally Empowered Committee during last month’s visit to Mollem.
The bird festival awareness rally was held in the form of a street play, wherein the participants highlighted the importance of birds and spread awareness on the ensuing bird festival.
Meanwhile, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Aniket Naik Gaonkar said that Goa is known for its beach tourism, attracting lakhs of tourists from across the world. He, however, said that little is known of the fact that Goa plays host to around 477 bird species, adding that the bird festival could help develop and give boost to hinterland tourism in the State.
“Bird tourism or hinterland tourism will get a big boost if adequate awareness is spread about the different species of birds in the State,” he said, while inviting people to witness in the ensuing bird festival.
As part of the festivities, the Forest department has decided to post forest staff at the Carambolim lake in North and Maina-Curtorim lake in South to guide bird watchers during the three days. “We have decided to post forest staff to help people on bird walking and bird watching at these two lakes,” he said, while making a plea to the people to avail the facility at these two lakes.
Margao and its surrounding areas have become an epicenter of the ongoing agitation against the three linear projects passing through Mollem. Villagers in many a Salcete villages have been opposing the laying of the double track, fearing that the second railway line is being laid to transport coal from the MPT to Karnataka as per the Sagarmala project.
