This is in regards to the various press reports in media that The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests at its meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh, decided not to permit any Special Economic Zone within the Coastal Regulation Zone area in Goa and it was also decided to grant Goa 'special status.' Why only coastal areas and not forest areas? The Third Meeting of the Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC) was held at Panaji-Goa, on 10th Sept., 1998, followed by a field inspection of coastal erosion regions in Goa on 11th September, 1998 this had representations from NIO as well. What happen to those findings and report? Why it was not implemented?
Sedimentation, or siltation, is one of the most severe threats to the all the major Rivers of Goa. The primary sources of this muddy water are irresponsible reckless mining operations, and poorly built road without drainage systems. These mining projects are required to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) for erosion and runoff control, which are never implemented, maintained, or enforced. Due to Sedimentation, all the rivers have lost the characteristics of a natural free-flowing river. Lacking the flushing attribute of water, the river now allows sediment to build up as sand bars river bank and mouths. This ultimately reduces the river's water bearing capacity and will block navigation for barges not far from now. As a democratic society we have to look at all sources of environmental degradation. Agnelo Pinheiro Raia/Dubai
