Conservationists concerned over clearances for infra projects through Goa’s forests

Goans citizens from different walks of life have come together to raise their common concerns over virtual clearances granted during the pandemic for multiple infrastructure projects through two of Goa’s protected wildlife areas – the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and

Mollem National Park

.

Ecologists, naturalists, conservationists, artists and students have signed an online petition against the projects, which already has over 9000 signatures. Conservationist Gabriella D'cruz explains, “Within the past few months, three projects through these forests been passed by the State and National Wildlife Boards (NBWL) through virtual clearances – double tracking a railway line through the sanctuary and national park, four-laning of a highway through the sanctuary and laying a 400KV transmission line through both forest and private land. All these projects have been passed with almost no scrutiny by the NBWL over a video call.”

After a recent virtual meeting of the NBWL standing committee, environment minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted, “I chaired the meeting of Standing Committee of NBWL today through VC and approved wildlife clearance for number of developmental project proposals submitted by 11 States”. He added that the projects in Goa will “give boost to tourism development”.

Some reports suggest that up to 50,000 trees may be cut if the work goes forward. Nirmal Kulkarni, ecologist and wildlife photographer, adds, “The combined projects if executed, will spell ecological doom to the sensitive habitat of Goa's only national park. Our loss will be irreplaceable and not only Goa, but India will lose a fine

wildlife corridor

that supports and sustains large cats and innumerable endemic flora and fauna of the Western Ghats of India.”

Speaking about the petition, Tallulah D'Silva said: "This letter gives voice to thousands of trees in Mollem. It also gives voice to the water security of the region, the forests with indigenous trees including the state tree – Matti."

The letter also speaks about the repercussions these projects will have on the wildlife as well as the communities that reside around this protected area. "The fragmentation of habitat is very likely to create more human-animal conflict as well as soil being eroded from the hill cutting or land filling during the projects being deposited in the rivers and streams downstream thus affecting aquatic life there", says Omkar Dharwadkar, another signatory.

Several nature lovers also have been creating awareness about the species that are likely to suffer from habitat fragmentation, like the Indian giant flying squirrel, great hornbill, the Amboli bush frog, stripe-necked mongoose, hump-nosed pit viper and the rare and endangered Malabar Tree Toad. Omkar shared photos of century-old trees, which can't be replaced by compensatory afforestation.

Gabriella adds, “I feel like now more than ever it is time to envision a better future for Goa. Why can’t we have high-quality wildlife tourism that celebrates our biological diversity? Why can’t we be a hub for organic agriculture and clean energy? Why can’t we continue to host people from across the globe by keeping our air clear of coal and our rivers devoid of mining reject?”