Not a megaproject-road construction and tree slaughter was done by Goa University for completing boundary wall This is a new and interesting development. After posting the previous alert and appeal about the road construction and tree slaughter, I visited the registrar, Goa University, Dr. Sangodkar, in the afternoon (June 1, 2010) and requested him to conduct an on the site inspection. We inspected the university’s map, checked the boundaries and then with University engineer Mr. Sawakar we proceeded to the site of road construction. Both the registrar and the engineer were surprised to discover the activity and damage. “this must have been going on for many days’ , opined the registrar. He noted the imprints in mud made by heavy earth moving machinery. I requested him to file a FIR. The engineer pointed to a section of completed boundary wall (after shifting to the present campus it has taken university 16 years to undertake a compound wall construction along the large boundary as there were no funds for the same ) and implied that the road construction and tree slaughter might have taken in the private property without university’ s knowledge. But perhaps he would not know that he would be changing his opinion in a few hours. We concluded the inspection with the registrar assuring to seek an explanation from the security guards in the boys’ hostels who could have noticed the movement of machinery. It so happened that, after returning from the inspection, considering the tree slaughter and its’ impact on wildlife I contacted the CCF, Goa forest dept. Dr. Shashikumar and asked him to send RFO, Panaji to investigate the matter of tree felling. “How is it possible that access for road construction and tree felling was given from university property without anyone’s knowledge?”. He expressed his doubts. But I insisted on an inquiry by RFO who is also the notified tree officer. Dr. Shashikumar assured to send him. In the meantime Times of India –Goa Journalist Mr. Paul Fernandes contacted me. I asked him to visit the said site in the evening. Both RFO Mr. Korgaonkar and Mr. Paul appeared at the same time, around 4 PM. Mr. Korgaonkar came with his full team. Then we proceeded to inspect the road and tree felling. A little further we noticed another wall on a slope and a large cleared area. The forest dept. team noticed logs of a freshly cut large jackfruit tree. A woman was collecting the branches. She said that a landlord has allowed her to collect the wood. A few trees could be seen fallen to the ground with the branches cleanly severed. ( I would post these images later) A Kokum tree was in a state of collapse. Mr. Korgaonkar expressed his doubts about involvement of a private party. Looking at the laterite bricks he said that this could be university’s work. He sent his forest guard to inspect. The anti climax came sooner than expected. As I waited for the forest dept. team to complete the survey of the damage, apparently the registrar had also set in motion his own investigation. After some time, Mr. Korgaonkar approached me and said that he would like to meet the registrar. He shocked me with these words-“ this is the work done by your university”. I phoned the registrar’s office and requested for an appointment with RFO. Mr. Korgaonkar then spoke to the registrar. Within a few minutes the full team of engineering section of Goa university led by the registrar Dr. Sangodakar descended at the site with maps. They went around and checked some boundary marks. Then the delegation assembled in front of boys’s hostel and then the registrar admitted that the conclusion drawn in the afternoon inspection was wrong. The road was made by contractor engaged by the university to build the boundary wall to transport machinery and materials to permit construction of a section of the wall on the steep slope. “ but this damage is not acceptable” I said-“besides permission of forest department was not obtained”. Besides, I said_-“why a six metre wide road is required to transport machines?, What happened to the trees and timber?.” Mr. Korgaonkar reiterated my statement. He insisted that despite being a public body the university need to obtain permission under tree preservation act. The registrar assured that compensatory plantation would be done during the monsoon. I said that it would be difficult in the rocky part now. “ We need to admit that the work was not properly supervised and the impacts were not assessed seriously”. The engineer said that traditional trail would be maintained. RFO said that there would be mud flow in the village due to loose soil. I told RFO to follow the procedure as per the rules. He expressed the inability to do house to house search and confiscate the wood and timber. Turning to the university engineer, I said-“ this is a slap on my face. I have already informed the world that the damage is done by some private interest for a megaproject. I am really ashamed that our university has done this. I believed that the area was cleared for a proposed megaproject“. The contractor who had engaged the earth moving machinery was quietly listening. Every tree in the university property needs to be surveyed and numbered-I suggested to the registrar. Every piece of fallen wood, log, timber has to be collected and recorded-I said. But I knew that it was a hopeless situation as every surface development and construction work has impacted the campus ecology. Late in the evening Mr. Paul Fernandes phoned me. When he heard about the new development, he was confused. “what shall I do now”. He asked referring to the story on which he was working. Law is same for everyone. We need to report the truth as it has happened. If university has erred then people would have to know and seek an explanation. I advised him to speak the VC, Goa University. He promised to carry the story. Perhaps you can read it in TOI, Goa edition on June 2, hopefully. So my request is to send protest letters/emails against this environmental degradation to the vice chancellor of Goa University, Prof. Deobagakar who was kept in dark about the goings on till I showed him the evidence. Actually he has encouraged me to compile material on campus biodiversity for a proposed book. He was sorry to hear about the damage. But till evening on June 1 st he also thought that it was in the private property. His e mail id is v...@unigoa.ac.in This incident has exposed Goa University’s own approach towards ecology, biodiversity and environment. It would be a miracle if, with the “developmental frenzy’ that is being unleashed, whatever that has managed to exist in our campus would survive. Since I am also a part of Goa University system I have also lost face. Ecovanadalism under any name is ecovandalism. The mud also sticks on me. I teach Ecology here but my own institution has let me down miserably. I have a terrible sinking feeling. The evil has entered my campus.
-- Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, GOA