Activists allege that the projects will make Goa a coal transportation hub, posing a threat to livelihoods and the State’s ecological diversity, while the Government denies claims made by activists
Goa, a dream holiday spot for tourists and travelers across the world has been struggling to protect its identity and its natural diversity from the industrial onslaught. In a recent development this year, three projects – the four laning of the NH4A, double tracking of the railway line and the laying of a 400kV transmission line-threaten the forests in and around Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in Goa. These projects will lead to the felling of around one lakh trees in Goa and Karnataka, of which a minimum of 59,000 trees will be felled in Goa. This venture would also put the water-security of over 16 lakh Goans in jeopardy.
BHAGWAN MAHAVEER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND MOLLEM NATIONAL PARK
Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, part of a larger contiguous forest, along with being a treasure trove of flora and fauna, is also an important tiger corridor between Goa and the adjoining Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.
The protected area is home to more than 721 plant species, 235 bird species, 219 butterfly species, 80 odonate species, 70 mammal species, 75 ant species, 45 reptile species, 44 fish species, 43 fungi species, 27 amphibian species, 24 orchid species, and 18 species of lichens. This list includes various endemic species as well as rare and vulnerable species such as the tiger, dhole, mouse deer, gaur and the Indian pangolin, amongst others. In addition, there are 18 bird species that are endemic to the Western Ghats and 7 bird species that are of high conservation concern found here (according to the State of India’s Birds, 2020).
Rajiv D’Silva, Architect, opines on the threat to flora and fauna, especially the birds. “If a huge area of a forest is going to be cut down, a large section of their habitat will be lost. Secondly, the constant to and fro traffic of the trains and ensuing noise will be a source of disturbance to the jungle and detrimental to the bird life. Not only birds, but other creatures like the reptiles have their traditional paths to go to food and water sources, all those will be cut by the highway and lines passing through. There is a long term health of the jungle as a whole which will be affected as there is an area that is directly under the threat of these projects. The implementation of these projects will lead to the deterioration of the whole forest area.”
Besides the flora and fauna, these forests have fresh water streams that feed the main rivers including Goa’s lifeline, river Mandovi. This river is a major source of potable water and provides irrigation facilities, produces biotic and mineral resources and aids in travel of people and goods to different parts of the State. The ancestral livelihoods of people living in the villages, on the banks of these rivers will be severely affected by these projects.
The forests in the Western Ghats also have many sacred groves that have been protected by locals for centuries because of their association with many deities and are, therefore, of tremendous cultural and conservation importance. No plans to secure the water reserves of the State have been made public by the MoEFCC or the Government of Goa.
Krishna Zore, an aerospace engineer by profession and a resident of Mollem, says “The transmission line will affect the livelihood of the villagers. Many of these villagers depend on their cattle, which have their grazing grounds and source of water in these forest areas. The magnetic field that this power station will generate is going to affect people’s health in a big way, leading to a rise in cancer cases and fertility issues. Neither the government authorities, the MLA or panchayat members have made any efforts to explain to the people what exactly they are planning to do. Nothing is clear as of now. When we, as villagers, try to seek information from the authorities, it is only then that they tell us bits and pieces about it. The ones who are living here, in the vicinity of these projects, should be made aware of the adverse effects of these projects. The government just wants to bulldoze everything and implement these projects in the name of development.”
Western Ghats are considered one of the most important tiger habitats in the world. Expanding highway on one side and then double tracking of the South Western Railways will leave the southern part of the Western Ghats disconnected from the northern part. This will lead to the death of not only tigers, but also of the other numerous animals that will die under the wheels of vehicles or on the railway tracks, as they try to cross over. The interferences in this eco-sensitive zone will also increase the frequency of landslides, affecting tribal communities like the buffalo hoarders Nomadics, ‘Dhangars’ and ‘Velip Gaonkars’, who reside in these hinterlands. Direct loss of biodiversity and the far-reaching impacts of habitat fragmentation will reduce ecosystem stability and decrease forest resilience.
BOOSTING COAL HANDLING CAPACITY
The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in Vasco is one of India’s major ports connected to Maharashtra and Karnataka through the South Central Railway and the NH17A, NH17B and NH4A highways. Its berths are primarily used for coal and iron ore transfer and handling.
According to the Ministry of Shipping/Indian Port Associations Sagarmala master plan for MPT, the current coal handling capacity is 12 mtpa (million tonnes per annum). Of this, JSW transports 7.5 mtpa and Adani transports 4.5 mtpa.
The document states that MPT has to develop additional coal handling capacity to fulfill future coal demands in the region. The MPT railway system facilitates coal movement to parts of the hinterland. Currently, there is only one line that connects the port to the hinterland, limiting the coal movement capacity to 15 mtpa. JSW coal terminal and Adani coal terminal move 19 mtpa of coal and affiliated cargo.
The railway line has to be doubled to boost that figure. Activists argue that this double tracking will destroy agriculture, health as well as tourism. There will be an increase in noise pollution given that the frequency and the speedy traffic of trains will increase. The project, activists claim, will further disturb the natural habitat of birds and animals. The majestic Dudhsagar waterfall will also be affected with the double tracking. Mass deforestation of trees will take place which will also create long term problems. The adverse impacts of the project would extend to the fishing industry and agriculture, as well. Coal dust, which can travel to distances of 5-15 kilometres, depending on wind and train speed, will negatively affect farming.
Ella Mascarenhas, Women’s Wing Convener, Goencho Ekvott, speaks on the coal transportation issue. “Our villages are known for their heritage and culture, but thanks to the Indian Railways, they have trisected the village of Arossim. We live on an island between tracks of Konkan Railway and South Western Railway; and at the rate they are expanding, they are going to consume our homes, land, water resources and us.” “Tourism is the only industry that Goa is dependent on and our Government is killing this industry for coal. One can’t walk along our once upon a time beautiful beaches which are now covered in coal washed ashore, tourists can’t go for a swim as the water is contaminated and causes skin diseases.”
Ella states her disapproval of the Government’s stand on coal. “The United Nations has warned Indian Government to stop use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, warned not to cut forests to mine for coal.”
The biggest fear plaguing the residents is that the railway expansion line would also lead to destruction of heritage houses. These houses have been built and refurbished over 100 years ago are already crumbling thanks to the metre gauge, what with cracks having developed on the floors and walls. The coal that is currently being transported in wagons are lightly covered with thin tarpaulin sheets, which lets the fine coal dust fly around and settle over hundreds of heritage houses.
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
On the night of November 1, 2020, at least 5000 Goans assembled near the level crossing at Chandor, in South Goa. The two main organisations involved in the protest were ‘Goencho Ekvott’ and ‘Goyant Kollso Naka’, who were also joined by the Opposition in the form of the Congress, Goa Forward Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, all them backing the protesters. The protestors gathered at the railway track and sat until dawn to prevent the Railways from starting the work. Crowds of people along with politicians and groups marched through the night with candles and played their music and drums in order to get their voices heard. The protests continued as an attempt to thwart the attempt of the Railways to commence the work.
The protestors warned the government of massive agitations if it fails to listen to the voice of people. Over the last few months, along with physical protests, social media pages dedicated to the cause and hashtag #SaveMollem have been conspicuous across platforms. Managed by concerned citizens, they have not only helped garner attention and mobilize protests, but also encouraged the national press to cover the issue, engaged the youth from across the country, and kept the conversation going. They have made formal representations to ministers and wildlife boards with hundreds of signatories.
GOVERNMENT’S STANCE
Meanwhile the Government stands firm in developing the State for the benefit of Goans. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant came down heavily on opposition parties and others opposing the various development projects in the State. He said that the State’s priority is to take the government benefits to the poorest of all. The government has been trying its best to defend the move in the name of public interest. Goa’s environment minister Nilesh Cabral has said that the double-lining of railways will help trains pass through the Western Ghats swiftly.
In addition, objections raised in the Environment Impact Assessment reports for the projects have been overlooked on the basis of “mitigation measures” suggested by the Chief Wildlife Warden.
Goa is a favoured holiday destination for most of India. However, the fact that its environmental framework is at great risk is something people are not aware of and mainstream media has yet to take up the issue in a big way.
The campaigns against the projects are important to every Goan.
While the projects may be a revenue earner for the State, activists urge that the health, environment, and cultural heritage of Goans and Goa are non-negotiable
