The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed for formation of a 10-member joint committee to look at feasibility of the development of a four-lane freeway in South Goa that will require filling up of ponds and wetlands — or ‘khazan land’, as they’re known as domestically.
“There can be no doubt that waterbodies, wetlands, mangroves and other natural resources need to be protected. While construction of a road may be a necessity, such construction should not result in destruction of biodiversity and other environmental resources, including waterbodies and wetlands. Floodplains of river Sal also need to be protected,” the tribunal noticed in a petition filed by activist Royla Fernandes.
In her petition, Fernandes had acknowledged that Margao National Highway Western Bypass has already been constructed from Nuvem village in South Goa to Seraulim by wetlands and agricultural land. The petitioner acknowledged that 2.75 km from Seraulim to Varca, but to be constructed, will destroy a big space of wetlands, agricultural lands and waterbodies of those villages.
The petition acknowledged that residents of villages in Seraulim and Benaulim had opposed development of the four-lane freeway on earthen embankments, contending that this could trigger flooding and inundation of homes in and across the villages. They had demanded that the freeway be constructed on stilts as an alternative.
The freeway is being constructed by Goa authorities and the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry, which that can bear Rs 133 crore and Rs 40 crore of the venture price, respectively, the NGT famous.