Recently, Nuvem MLA and former Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira asked, “Do you want trees or roads?” while responding to concerns over tree felling. The question reflects a troubling tendency to view development and environmental protection as opposing goals. Given the growing challenges of climate change, environmental concerns deserve greater priority. It is fair to ask whether all proposed road projects are necessary and whether projects such as the Nuvem bypass widening justified the loss of mature trees, especially where alternative roads already exist. The government should explain the need for such projects before proceeding.
Planting saplings cannot fully compensate for the loss of decades-old trees, which support complex ecosystems, particularly when survival and maintenance rates are poor. Questions also remain about the effectiveness of Goa’s tree transplantation policy and the decline in tree cover over recent years. Balancing development with conservation is difficult, but examples from India and abroad show that it is possible through careful planning, expert consultation and innovative solutions.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
