GOVT TO WITHDRAW RELAXATION ON AMPLIFIED SOUND. Herald, 22 July, 2003 (Front Page) By: Herald Reporter
Panjim, July 21 - The government has decided to amend its extraordinary notification issued under the Noise Pollution Rules following a petition filed by the Goa Environment Federation that it would permit the use of loud speakers at night for more than the stipulated 15 days of the year. The government has decided to withdraw the schedule II of the extraordinary notification allowing the use of loud speakers from 10pm to midnight pertaining to the six days presently earmarked for temple zatras, church feasts and other festive events within 2 weeks. A statement to this effect was made by the government when the petition filed by the Goa Environment Federation challenging this notification came up in the Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court. The extraordinary notification in question, dated February 28, 2003 specified nine days for the year 2003 where the use of loud speakers or public address systems was allowed during night hours (between 10 pm and 12 midnight) The notification had also specified six additional days (schedule II) for relaxation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules. These days included occasions such as temple zatras, church feasts, Sarvajanik Ganesh immersion day, Carnival days/navaratri days, and any other local festive event promoted by the government or community. The petitioner had claimed that the Noise Rules 2002 permit relaxation of the noise rules only for 15 days in the year, but Schedule II allows every church feast and temple zatra as well as any local festive event promoted by government or community to have the use of loud speakers. If the total number of these days are enumerated, they will be in excess of the 6 days provided by the schedule, added the petitioner. The petitioner claims that in reality, the use of loud speakers would be officially permitted from 10 pm to midnight on practically all days of the year. The Goa Federation therefore approached the Court praying for an order quashing the said notification dated February 28, 2003 on the grounds that it violates the Noise Pollution Rules 2002. End. PROTECT FISH RESOURCES, HC TO CENTRE Herald, 22 July, 2003. By:Herald Reporter Panjim, July 21 -The Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court has asked the Central government to take necessary steps required to protect the fish resources of the coastal States, taking into consideration the experiences of other countries. These remarks have come in the wake of a petition filed by the Goa Environment Federation pertaining to the fishing ban. BY an earlier order dated September 24, 2002, the High Court had directed that a ban on fishing be imposed during the period from June 10 to August 15, or Narali Poornima, which ever was earlier. The court had also directed the Central government to impose an uniform ban on fishing and fix uniform dates for all the coastal States on the western coast before the onset of the monsoon this year. The Central government issued an order dated May 12, 2003 enforcing an uniform ban on the operation of deep sea fishing vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone of West Coast States or Union Territories, that is, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat and Lakshadweep Island, Daman and Diu. This order is operative from June 10 to August 15 2003, inclusive of both days. The same Central government order stated that a similar ban may be imposed within the territorial waters of all the said west coast States by the respective States during this period to make the fishing ban total for all mechanized fishing vessels within the West Coast waters. When the matter came up before the double bench on Monday, comprising Justice F I Rebello and Justice P V Hardas, the court took on record this order. It further observed that the Central government was to take the steps required to protect the fish resources considering the experiences of other countries, especially Canada,. It directed that a copy of the order be sent to the ministry for environment and Forests. END COMMENTS Goa Su-Raj Party extends hearty congratulations and thanks to the GOA ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION (GEF) for taking on itself the job of the guardian of the people of Goa on both counts. Whereas the people of Goa need to live in peace and tranquility without the unwarranted excesses of modern day loud music noise pollution , they also need to enjoy their staple fish curry rice without being ripped off by commercial mechanized fishing activities which does not respect the natural breeding season of the fish, scouring the sea waters at all times to satisfy their mindless greed. The Federation's dynamic and conscientious president Mr. Averthanus D'Souza backed by the equally dynamic fighting team with Patricia Pinto of PMCA (People Movement for Civic Action) as its General Secretary and Adv. Norma Alvares of Goa Foundation as its legal advisor deserve highest commendations. With such a potent organization at work, Goa could see better days in times to come. Very well done, GEF. In the like manner, we wish GEF the hat-trick with the newly admitted Petition on the Panjim Municipal Corporation. This corporation must be confined to within the jurisdiction of Panjim for its effective functioning. The apparent newest plans of the government to consolidate its position and concretise it plans on the enhanced jurisdiction for the Corporation by shifting the centuries old Panjim Courts to elsewhere outside the jurisdiction of Panjim City must be met with stiff and overpowering resistance. Otherwise, the City of Panjim will have lost its 'SOUL' alltogether. Citizens of Panjim, do keep your ears to the ground. Floriano Lobo (Hon. GS, Goa Environmental Action Group, Member). ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
