Gates of hell are often opened wide, with the best of intentions. After losing badly in the Mhadei Water Dispute against Karnataka -- where in our ecosystem, biodiversity, horticulture, forests and livelihood would be affected -- Goans suffered another jolt as a result of the National Green Tribunal clearing the Mopa Green field airport to be constructed by GMR, which would have a devastating effect on the overall climate of the State. There is no doubt that the petitioners to the anti-Mopa ecological forum did their best to present their case before NGT but what was lacking was concrete scientific data to convince the learned judges of the need for protecting the Mopa plateau for posterity.
There are always two groups of scientific presentations. One set of scientists, who carry out Environmental Impact Assessment over a short duration and those who furnish rapid EIA reports based on limited observations. Usually industries and commercial institutions make use of these “bench or armchair scientists”, and in doing so, the overall interest of the public is bulldozed along with the tacit support of the political class in power. Surely GMR, the politicians in power and bureaucrats will benefit from the Mopa bonanza. Those who presented the case before NGT did not involve scientists and could not effectively counter the sketchy evidences put forth and submitted before the tribunal.
We must realise that no institution in Goa including Goa University, ICAR or the NIO etc. were requested to carry out field studies to evaluate the environment impact due to Mopa airport. As a scientist, I would be required to objectively carry out 4 years of scientific field studies involving research students, fellows, post graduates and doctoral candidates candidly measuring biological, chemical parameters on the ground, over seasons. Knowing theoretically that it will change over monsoon and the summer, is just not enough to convince the judges. Hard data generated by scientific hard work is absolutely essential. Sadly for Goans, we have experienced scientists capable of field work and analysing data, but the Goa government has disabled and made Goan scientists, ineffective specially after retirement without offering them laboratory or library facilities, which are necessary for scientific studies. What is an added nail to the coffin of woes of Goan scientists is that they are denied government funds. Goans are leaving the entire burden of scientific presentations to a handful of self-made environmentalists, who take upon themselves the task of presenting scientific inferences, based on theoretical hypothesis of scientists without establishing an experiment-based information. The secondary data presentations in courts is the main reason Goa failed to convince the courts. For instance Mopa airport would heat up the plateau, the temperature would rise, the biodiversity would suffer and the cyclonic sea winds would devastate the hinterlands around Pernem. Sadly, I am saying this, but this observation needs experimental and meteorological inputs and studies in laboratories explaining how cyclones are caused.
Anyone can break a door, but it requires a good carpenter to build one. A butcher can surely cut flesh, but he cannot be called upon to perform the duties of a surgeon. In short, Goa’s arguments fell far below par, to convince the Tribunal, and, Goan cause for environment protection, fell apart due to paucity of scientific data which was placed before the relevant courts in question.
For instances, whilst I was active in university along with my students, we showed conclusively that shrimp farming in Goa was adversely affecting the quality of our rivers and was also the cause of fish diseases. Thus the Supreme Court saw the scientific evidence from the data placed before it and the shrimp farmers were admonished and even made to close down their units citing the “Polluter must pay principle” and protect marine biodiversity against monoculturalism in oceanic waters.
Recently, the NGT awarded GSPCB and the Goa government a compensation of nearly Rs 1 crore, for pollution caused by oil spills generated due to a stranded vessel ‘M V Qink’ off Mormugao Harbour. Interestingly, the scientists at GSPCB, their lawyers and myself as a consultant worked together and placed our findings before the learned judges who were extremely sensitive to environmental issues and causes. The Goa government needs to invest heavily on Goa-centric research projects and the staff and professors at Goa University should seek funds from national agencies to enable Goa seek justice. Allowing lawyers to defend Goa’s view point without research will tear apart Goan cause.
Whilst I was in Portugal between 1993 to 1998. I had the opportunity to work with Portuguese scientists who worked for 6 to 10 years in continuity to understand the impacts of Ponte Vasco Da Gama over River Tejo on the marine life. The bridge did come up in 1998 but nearly 10 years of research went in as scientists identified pit falls, studied impacts on flora, fauna and sedimentary effects on water flow. The world appreciated the studied decision made by authorities in Portugal, which included details of research in the overall construction of the bridge. Will Goans ever learn and act accordingly is a million dollar question?
