---------Dear Alina Saldanha RDA AND SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY MINISTER OF GOA I refer Herald of today 28th April 2016 at 2nd page on Environment issue at Canacona with my comments;
In the first instance let me salute you ( Alina ) for taking up the issue of Pontoon which is posing danger at Arossim beach and that the fishermen community and villagers are concern over the environment disaster likely soon and hopefully if it is not taken the vessel in time it should not be like an another River Princess for Goa. Alina has taken an excellent decision and conveyed to the people of Goa of after effects of grounding of Pontoon name " Bhageerath" and that if it not towed soon, it will create hazards and great damage to the beach and environment. Some experts suggested to cut this pontoon if it is impossible to tow it, and send to scrapyard. Hope Alina will keep her promise and within 2 days time, if not towed she is going to voice her opinion and protest in front of the crowd on the Arossim beach. Cherios Alina , Goans are with you for this good cause. Today an another issue crop up, please take it up, regarding of cutting mangroves at Patto Bridge upto the Ribandar which is posing problems to its side walls and to the Patto Bridge "Ponte de Linhares". I believe that It is already planned by the Government of Goa based on the report from GCZMA to cut the mangroves. So far I have not heard from the present Environment Minister Arlekar, of his stand on this issue. As a layman my worry is who is right whether the GCZMA or environmentalists. Some of the environmentalists told me that the mangroves should not be cut. I am not going to give my opinion as I am not a mangrove man nor an environmentalist nor a microbiologist but I voice my concern and opinion as a citizen of Panjim and Goa. Please study this case, Government has decided to cut these mangroves which was earlier planted by the Forest dept. and now the experts from GCZMA play a different tune like cracks on the sidewalls, damage to the Patto bridge etc Some say that it is an heritage area which needs to be protected to have a better look. It is for the environmentalists experts like Dr Arvind Untawale and Dr Saheeda Wafar ( Senior Retd NIO scientists and experts on mangroves ) and others to give their opinion and come for a good decision and a better solution in the interest of public. Stephen Dias Panjimites and Senior Citizen mob: 9422443110 date: 28 4.2016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
