“The thing that bothers me most about Goa is that its people are too silent. You need to start shouting, make some noise, get up,” stated Justice Gautam Patel, professor and former judge of the Bombay High Court.
He was speaking on the subject of ‘Goa Going Gone’ at a recent session of Miramar Dialogues, organised by WWF-India Goa, Miramar, Panjim.
SAVING GOA
The discussion highlighted the importance of conserving the different aspects of Goa’s environment, emphasising the protection of its unique ecosystems such as water bodies, wetlands and even laterite plateaus. Suggestions to tackle the ongoing environmental challenges were also made.
In his address, Justice Patel questioned the audience on the pressing issues facing Goa and how individuals can actively work to protect the interests of, both, Goa and Goans.
The discussion highlighted the importance of conserving the different aspects of Goa’s environment, emphasising the protection of its unique ecosystems such as water bodies, wetlands and even laterite plateaus.
The discussion touched upon various daunting problems that Goa is currently dealing with, and that includes the concretisation of Miramar Beach, the Mopa airport project, the influx of outsiders purchasing land for luxury villas, etc.
Speaking of Mopa, he said that there was a need to conserve the green spaces around it from further concretisation.
He brought up the topic of litigations, adding that a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) was a possible remedy, but not the only remedy. He also mentioned that public and private infrastructure buildings were two different matters, and thus, need to be tackled differently.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
He spoke about the importance of getting together as a group, and emphasised that those wanting to protect Goa's green spaces needed to unite as a group or organisation.
“Your strength is in your numbers and coalition – it may not be a registered trust or group, but the focus of the group has to be defined. You just need to organise yourself. You need tons of groups like Goa Foundation.”
Speaking of Mopa, he said that there was a need to conserve the green spaces around it from further concretisation.
He highlighted the need to recognise Goa’s unique ecosystems, including water bodies, wetlands, streams, plateaus, sand dunes and hill slopes, as essential components of the region's environment.
“Laterite plateaus are not even in the conversation at all! Identify these various factors and make a pitch that any development, whether public or private, that happens, conservation strategies must include protecting all these items,” he said.
“Build a local law around it. It is not just about marking or zoning. I am talking about their integration and preservation, while permitting any development project. A natural water body must be protected while you are doing any development no matter what the size of it is,” he emphasised.
Justice Patel concluded his talk by expressing hope for Goa's future, stressing the importance of uniting as a group to protect the State's interests and preserve its ecology.
