PANAJI
The agitation against the Centre-sponsored infra projects encompassing massive deforestation at Mollem nation park and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary got a major boost with top national politicians and some Bollywood stars tweeting their support on Monday.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh, were the two big names who tweeted their support for the stir on Monday.
Ramesh had also written to the MoEF&CC against the projects when they got the nod of the National Board for Wildlife dubiously through a video-conferencing meet during the lockdown in April.
"Goans camping day n nite to #savemollem and stop #coalprojects. FIRs done against many Goans incl AAP volunteers. Muzzling protests and lodging FIR will not dampen spirit of Goans to save Goa from being a coal hub. Govts shud not implement projects against the wishes of people," Kejriwal's tweet read on Monday.
Ramesh in his Monday tweet said: "Prime Minister Modi has waxed eloquent over his love for nature while at the same time he is taking measures to destroy the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. This is sheer hypocrisy. The green lungs of Goa must be saved #SaveMollem."
Film celebrities Richa Chadha, Dia Mirza and Randeep Hooda also tweeted, supporting the protests.
The projects -- doubling of a railway line, four-laning of a national highway and laying inter-State power lines -- envisage felling over 50, 000 trees in and around the protected forests.
The projects are suspected to collectively contribute to a coal transportation corridor between MPT and North Karnataka but the State government is in denial.
Bollywood actress Chadha tweeted: "Whether Goa, Kashmir or Aarey, if we destroy our remaining forest cover (already too little for a country the size of India), we will die. For instance, when floods arrive, it will not check your Aadhaar card or political affiliation before taking your life."
Randeep Hooda's tweet read: "Let's stand with Goans protesting the proposed loss of 70k trees and destruction of biodiversity hub in #Mollem #Tiger habitat for doubling the railway line to turn Goa into a coal transporting hub instead. Why not go around the eco-sensitive zone? #SaveMollem."
