Goanet meets in Goa: December 27, 12 noon and January 7, 4 pm (meeting point: Kala Academy canteen). See you there! ------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------- Crucifying trees --------------------- The corporation of the city of Panjim in its enthusiasm of illuminating the waterfront parts of the city seems to have given a free licence to the contractors to use three inch long iron nails for attaching the decorative strips of electric bulbs.
These iron nails would permanently damage the trees. This act of killing the trees, by slow death was brought to the notice of the Mayor.
Near Azad Maidan, inside the Mermaid Garden and all along the D.B.Bandodkar road, one can see the use of nails driven hard inside the trees. I counted 10-40 nails on single trees.
More than 100 trees are affected. The festival of lamps could be a good idea as a novelty, but using the trees as if they are dead wooden poles has exposed the butchering spirit of the Corporation and unfortunately now it is too late to repair the injury.
In my report (August 2000) on the trees of the Panjim city I had already cautioned the PMC chairperson and the councilor Ms. Patricia Pinto about such practice. The Mayor has also disappointed me by not taking action against pouring of the concrete near the root zone of the trees, as one can see near the Braganza Garden.
All the trees need some space at the base, near the roots to expand and for drainage. Burying the trees in concrete and asphalt is an act of butchery. The Corporation would be held responsible for premature death or collapse of any trees injured by the nails and action of concrete and asphalt.
After a telephonic talk with Mayor on Dec. 22 morning, I was happy that Ashok Naik was concerned and promised action. I had assured him that I would not make this an issue in press.
But after a detail survey I found that the damage is permanent and some palms in the Mermaid Garden may start dying soon.
The Corporation has not added much to the arborial wealth of the city. I am compelled by my conscience as a citizen to bring the above facts to the notice of the public. A mass mortality of these trees could be expected during the monsoon 2004. The gains of the festival of lights would be neutralised by the arborial losses.
Do not crucify the trees for artificial lighting. Illuminate your souls with some compassion. I have grown with these trees as a child and as a student studying in the city since 1966. Their loss is my loss. And if you think with a little compassion, may be yours as well.
Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, Member, Goa State Environment Protection Council ---------------------------------- in Readers Speak HERALD 24/12/03 page 6 -----------------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
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