Sao Joao revelries in Benaulim.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Benaulim reverberated to the chants of Sao Joao as the village celebrated the feat of the patron Saint John the Baptist.
On the banks of the Tolleaband lake, a group of children shouted in one voice “Thank you NGT” as they assembled at the site along with their parents to express their gratitude to the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal which ordered constitution of a 10-member panel to conduct a study on the flooding if the controversial western bypass is built sans stilts.
Overjoyed by the order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), children from Benaulim have made a fresh appeal to the Goa government to build the controversial western bypass on stilts.
Armed with banners and placards, the group of children assembled near the Western bypass site near the Zudio mall to express their joy and happiness over the NGT order, calling for the constitution of a 10-member panel to go into the issues of flooding raised by the citizens of Benaulim and Seraulim.
“It is indeed a round movement for the children of Benaulim, who had started the movement against the construction of the western bypass via land filling of the low lying areas”, remarked Johaan Pereira.
He made a fervent plea to the government to build the western bypass on stilts, expressing satisfaction that the National Green Tribunal has heard their voice against the construction of the bypass on earthen embankments.
“Finally, our pleas have been heard by the NGT. We need to protect our environment, which is so necessary for our survival. The Children of Benaulim are the future citizens of the village, the state and the country”, he said, while making a fervent plea to the government to protect their future.
Another six year old girl, Delila Bothelo did not speak much, but she profusely thanked the NGT for saving the village and the fields for the future.
Corint Da Costa said the children had started the movement to save the environment on Children’s Day two years ago. “Finally, our voices have bene heard. We are confident the NGT will take the right decision”, she added.
Petitioner before the NGT, Royla Fernandes said the people of Benaulim have been blessed with the NGT on a day when the villagers are celebrating the feast of the Patron Saint of John the Baptist.
“We had started this movement on November 14 two years ago when the children had celebrated Children’s Day to protect the wetlands and bio-diversity of Benaulim”, Royla said, adding that NGT order has given a ray of hope for the villagers waging a battle against the construction of the bypass sans stilts.
In what is perceived as a big boost to the villagers waging a battle against the government’s plan to build the western bypass sans stilts, the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal has ordered constitution of a 10-member panel of experts, including State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Goa to conduct a study.
The NGT had even remarked that the flood plains of River Sal need to be protected, an observation which has come at a time when the National Highways was bracing up to execute the bypass work on the 2.75 km balance portion between the wholesale fish market, Seraulim and Benaulim on the Varca road.
The 10-member joint Committee comprising SEIAA, Goa, Goa State Biodiversity Board, Goa State Wetland Authority, PWD, Goa, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), District Magistrate, South Goa, Water Resources Department, State PCB, a nominee of National Wetland Authority and a nominee of PCCF (HoFF), Goa.
The order stated that the State PCB and SEIAA, Goa will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The NGT has directed that a meeting of the Committee may be held within two weeks and after taking stock of the situation, plan of action may be prepared and executed.
Children hold placards demanding construction of western bypass on stilts.
