May 5,2008
What is the urgent need of the hour is a complete stop on all construction of
multistoried buildings and senseless sellout of prime Communidade lands. One
such case is the Communidade of Serula. Further developments especially in
tourism,mining activities etc..should be deferred now that the task force
itself has admitted that the infrastructure is inadequate to meet the present
needs and that it is beneficial mainly to people from outside Goa who are
becoming a burden to present day Goans.
Before any further development is initiated certainly the infrastructure needs
to be in place. Only then can any assessment be made on developments but
definitely NOT in the notified eco-sensitive zones.
Better late than never. At long last someone has seen through the hidden
agendas of greedy speculators and their supporters amoung the Goans who will
benefit the most from this.
Gregory Fernandes.
------ Original Message ------
Received: Sun, 04 May 2008 11:54:40 AM MDT
From: Miguel Braganza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Goan NRI <goan-nri@yahoogroups.co.in>
Subject: [GOAN-NRI] Task Force Interim Report given to Goa Govt. ...at last.
Task Force moots eco-sensitive zones Posted by: "Vidyadhar Gadgil"
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sun May 4, 2008 12:42 am (PDT)
Herald, 4 May 2008
Task Force moots eco-sensitive zones
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MAY 3 Expressing concerns on the limited land resources
in the State, the interim report of Task Force on the Regional
Plan 2021 has mooted eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) to preserve
forests, khazan lands and heritage sites from mining and any other
development activities.
The report stated that State is currently facing a huge
development pressure on its limited land resources, which is
fuelled by speculation and not a result of the natural growth of
population.
"Lack of sensitive development controls or guidelines is
destroying the character of Goas settlements, especially its
villages, it said.
The report has also come down heavily on the determination of type
and the location of industries saying it is being done in a very
haphazard manner without evaluation of existing infrastructure,
work force and local skills.
"There is a need for balanced, well-spread and all-round economic
development of the State, the report says.
The Task Force also claims that the sudden increase in mining over
the last few years has intensified the socio-environmental
problems it creates.
Commenting on the tourism sector, the report said that the coastal
belt with its existing infrastructure is unable to cope with the
increasing tourist- related population.
The report said that there is an urgent need to change the
outlook towards the agriculture sector as a whole, with a thrust
to make it feasible and viable.
On the migration issue , which has been one of the major topics of
discussion recently, the Task Force said that the out-migration of
Goans and in-migration from surrounding States,for employment is a
dilemma Goa is facing. "Also the issue of the intra-migration of
Goans from the midland and the Ghats to urban centers and the
coastal areas within the State, is a cause of concern, it said.
The committee also felt that the physical and social amenities
available in Goa (public transport, sanitation, health, education
etc) need to be upgraded.
Strategy: The Task Force having comprehended the issues has
advocated a multi-pronged approach: "A conservation strategy is
being put in place to prevent indiscriminate environmental
degradation and accordingly, eco-sensitive zones (Eco I and Eco
II) have been created based on levels of vulnerability, the
report says.
In Eco I no development will be permitted while in Eco II partial
development with restrictions and special controls will be
permitted. Further, for an all-round balanced economic growth,
new and better paying jobs for the resident population, right
across the State and to reduce pressure from the coastal belt and
urban areas, new growth centers / nodes are being proposed in the
midland districts, by upgrading and strengthening the
transportation routes are proposed in the interim report.
The report also states that at every level of envisioning the RPG-
21, there will be consultation with the stakeholders.
Maps: The Task Force has also prepared detailed digitized maps of
all key sectors and departments, of the State and currently, most
of the eco-sensitive areas of the State - like forests, khazan
lands, mangroves, wildlife sanctuaries etc, have been mapped, so
as to clearly indicate those areas of the State that need
conservation and which are out of bounds of development.
Time frame: The draft Regional Plan according to the Task Force
will be submitted on June 30 and a notification will be issued on
July 15.
Public views on the plan will be received by September 15 and the
synthesis of views and the adjusted RPG-21 will be submitted on
November 15.
--
Question everything -- Karl Marx
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