Goa is known for its scenic beauty - the hills, rivers, fields, forest and beaches. The real estate boom is in fact a doom for the very natural source of livelihood. How will the villagers venture into the rivers to increase fish yield when we have casinos anchored? Or, Sagarmala project which is expected to take control of rivers while marinas will occupy the khazan lands.
The builders carry out land-filling of the fields and the hills are sliced for making the table flat for construction. How is agriculture or dairy farming going to increase in the State? The more we delay in finalising the CZMP and attempt to modify the RP 2021, Goa will be a doomed state for future generation.
In Siolim, the hallmark of the traditional Sao Joao festival celebrations is jumping into the tidal creek of River Chapora from Fernandes Vaddo to Vaddy. This river was accessible to the public but unfortunately, a huge project here is in the pipeline. One wonders if common Siolcars will ever get access to the tidal creek in the future. In the guise of development Goenkar's susegad life is being destroyed.
Will the Chief Minister, State Environment Minister and the Central Environment Ministry do something to stop the destructions.
GREGORY E D'SOUZA, Siolim
