A view of the Maimollem Lake in Vasco.
Photo Credits: Vikram Nayak
THE GOAN | VASCO
Vasco will be bracing for yet another environment-related public hearing later in the week, with the Goa State Wetlands Authority (GSWA) convening a meeting of the Grievance Committee in Vasco on August 22 and 23 from 2 pm onwards to hear objections and suggestions to the proposed declaration of Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland.
As many as 244 persons have filed their objections and suggestions to the proposed declaration of Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland.
A Grievance Committee will hear the objections and suggestions from persons concerned.
Incidentally, several lakes across the State have been declared or are in the process of being declared as wetlands. All these are located in rural areas and in pristine surroundings.
But Maimollem Lake could well be the first wetland in Goa to be located in an urban area with dense population at its periphery.
In a letter dated August 7, the GSWA stated that the 17th Grievance Committee Meeting of the Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA) has been convened on August 22 at 2.30 pm, in the Murgaon Mutt Sankul Samiti, F L Gomes Road, Vasco.
The GSWA had issued a notification in September 2023 proposing to notify Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland under the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017.
The proposal is to notify 2,66,627 sq. metres as a wetland, and another 2,13,571 sq. metres as buffer/zone of influence.
The buffer area is located within a densely populated locality of Maimollem in Vasco town.
As per the notification, no construction/development activity will be permitted within the buffer area. This restriction has been causing much concern among the affected people.
Incidentally, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar had raised queries in an LAQ at the recent assembly session, seeking details of the proposal to notify Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland and the objections from public.
In his reply, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira provided details and documents, including the gazette notification and a list of those who have put forth objections and suggestions.
Incidentally, those who have put forth objections and suggestions include some past and present politicians, some owning land within the proposed buffer zone, the local Comunidade, church bodies, the MPDA, the municipal council, and environmentalists.
When contacted, environmental activist advocate Savio Correia said he wholeheartedly supported the proposed notification of Maimollem Lake as a wetland, but emphasised the need to strike a balance between environmental conservation and sustainable development.
“For over a decade, I have been a strong advocate for this initiative, including efforts to rezone the lake area as a ‘water body’ in the Vasco ODP 2026. I feel that protecting this natural gift to Vasco town is crucial,” said Correia.
“The lake's conservation would offer multiple benefits, including biodiversity preservation, water quality regulation and flood control. In addition, tourism related activities within and around the lake could boost the local economy.”
Correia said he had learnt that some stakeholders have expressed concerns, primarily regarding land development restrictions within the buffer zone.
“I would urge the government to address these issues thoughtfully, striking a balance between environmental conservation and sustainable development.”
“The long-term well-being of Vascokars remains my paramount concern. I believe that by protecting Maimollem lake, we are investing in a healthier, more resilient future for our community,” added Correia.
THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Mormugao Biodiversity Committee (MBC) Chairman and Municipal Councillor Yatin Kamurlekar said while the Maimolem Lake needs to be saved for posterity, people around the area should not be made to suffer or inconvenienced.
“It was decided during a meeting of the MBC that Maimolem Lake needs to be saved for posterity to prevent flooding in Vasco and that it should be declared as a wetland. We also forwarded the proposal to the Goa State Wetlands Authority (GSWA)," said Kamurlekar.
"This is the first urban wetland in Goa but there are major issues as of now, including uncertainty regarding land owners and farmers in the buffer zone or the Wetland area.”
Admitting he was unsure of any special provisions in the Act regulating the Urban Wetland, Kamurlekar, however, strongly felt authorities need to save the wetland without inconveniencing the people.
“People should be allowed to build in the area of the buffer zone around the wetland. Many people have spent hard-earned money to purchase land and it will be sad if they cannot do anything on the legally owned land around the wetland,” said Kamurlekar.
“I would also want railway authorities to be invited to the public hearing so that their culvert in the area can be corrected and water can drain out in a smooth fashion."
