On World Environment Day (June 5), the Goa government put on a grand show with n public speeches, sapling plantations, and events involving government employees. But behind the facade, Goa’s environment”its hills, forests, trees, and water bodies”is being ruthlessly destroyed.
A glaring example of this hypocrisy is the government’s claim that beach degradation will harm tourism. Yet, it consistently ignores complaints from activists about illegal activities on Goa’s beaches.
In many cases, it even bends or manipulates the law to shield violators. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), instead of protecting the coastline, appears to be enabling its destruction under government pressure.
Far from protecting the environment, the Goa Government seems committed to its devastation”all to satisfy the greed and vested interests of corrupt political elites. In this grim reality, it is only the genuine Goan activists who stand as a beacon of hope for the future of Goa.
