GOA – MLA Viresh Borkar came out sharply today with a grim warning about the imminent environmental catastrophe awaiting the ecologically vulnerable areas of Goa and the Western ghats, on lines similar to the landslides hitting Wayanad, Kerala. Borkar said categorically that the state must adopt sustainable development practices in these sensitive regions if any future was to be salvaged.
The Western Ghats belong to eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity in the world that have run risks due to rapid, unmanaged development activities. Goa, enriched with biodiversity and being a haven of tourism, witnessed enhanced construction projects in the form of resorts, mining, and infrastructural expansions that seemed detrimental for the delicate ecosystems.
“The beauty of Goa and the integrity of the Western Ghats are getting frittered away due to excessive development,” Borkar said. “If we don’t take a different course now, we might see a repeat of the heart-rending happenings in Wayanad, where human lives and homes were lost to landslides caused by environmental degradation.”
In the neighboring state of Kerala, Wayanad has witnessed a spate of worst landslides during the last few years. Extensive deforestation, quarrying, and change in natural terrain were the reasons behind it. This destruction has been responsible for human tolls and loss of property, evidencing the huge effects of disregarding ecological balance.
He called for the state government, local bodies, environmentalists, and citizens to join in countering the relevant problem. “The need is to make sure that development does not come at the expense of the environment. We require tighter regulations, better planning on the environmental front, and a collective resolve and effort to adhere to sustainable practices which would sustain this beautiful state for the generations to come,” he said.
Some of the measures that Borkar proposed to be undertaken include stringent environmental impact assessments for new projects, promotion of eco-tourism, encouraging use of renewable energy, and preservation of the green cover of the region.
It is the statements of this MLA that have opened up a discourse among civil society about responsible development that goes hand-in-hand with conservation. For environmental groups, Borkar’s warning is hailed as a much-needed intervention that might lead to powerful policies for the protection of the vital ecosystems of Goa and the Western Ghats.
As the dialogue unfolds, there are sympathetic eyes in Goa and environmental activists across the country fixed on the government’s response to this call to action by Borkar. It is hoped that a medium path would be drawn, leading to developmental growth and the urgency for environmental preservation to meet up and come out with a safer and greener tomorrow.
The wake-up call given by Viresh Borkar, MLA, is such a wake-up call when Goa stands at this juncture. The way forward is yet to be charted; however, it undoubtedly has to be through sustainable practices alone if the protection of this region’s natural heritage is to be ensured.
