Colva is one of the villages blessed with open green spaces and I can confidently say that based on scientific facts that these open spaces are actually a “luxury” to the village and its inhabitants. The benefits are numerous including addressing pollution, improving oxygen levels, positive environmental effect on mind/body, natural water harvesting (which improves the water tables in the village) etc. The recent flooding tragedy where hundreds of people lost their lives and many displaced on the Nepal-Tibet border, is a testament to what happens when humans destroy nature and abuse the environment. Colva village is at a high risk from global warming as per comprehensive data from the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM); the risk of flooding is real and open green places if preserved can act as flood absorbing “cushions”; Else flooding can easily bring down structures particularly the older ones like the Colva Church structure as an example. Unfortunately to some Colvenkars including some panchas these open spaces look to them as “development places”. It’s time to relook the old mindset of “development” particularly now with the threat of climate change.
ARWIN MESQUITA, Colva
