*Goa Bachao Abhiyan* >> >> C/o 77, Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim-Goa >> >> *goabachaoabhi...@gmail.com* >> >> *www.savegoa.com* >> >> *Phone: 8888707083* >> >> GBA/2012 /15 >> 20 July, 2012 >> >> >> >> PRESS RELEASE >> >> >> *No privte forest demarcation 16 years after Supreme Court ruling leads >> to irreversible loss of green spaces due to mega projects in villages of >> Goa and mining in the hinterlands.* >> >> >> The GBA in its meeting on 18th July discussed the issue of the delay in >> protection and demarcation of private forests while the Regional Plan 2021 >> is being prepared. Much of this precious land sustaining biodiversity has >> been placed under ECO 2 zones, 'Natural Cover' and 'Orchard' for want of >> identification by the forest department, allowing for easy conversion to >> settlement. >> >> Despite court rulings and special committees, only 67 Sq km of Goa have >> been patchily identified till date, and 16 years on, even this has been >> reduced. >> >> Findings of the last State Level Expert Committee demarcation of private >> forests have not yet been reported despite its term being completed on 5 >> th February 2012. >> The committee was headed by Mr P.V. Sawant for South Goa and K. G >> Sharma for North Goa for a period of two years. >> >> The GBA in its representation to the Additional Principal Chief >> Conservator of Forest, has urged that the findings of the State Level >> Expert Committee as of the 5th of February 2012, be made official so >> that it can be incorporated into the Regional Plan 2021. >> >> The GBA demands that the Government reconstitute the Expert Committee for >> demarcation of private forests with urgency, and set deadlines to complete >> this task by 2013, before there is nothing left to save. >> >> At risk are a number of buffer forests in the rapidly urbanized areas of >> Goa that are responsible for sustaining biodiversity and rainfall. >> >> The hapless citizens of Siolim have been fighting to save the remaining >> forest areas as builders cut down this unprotected habitat for mega >> projects. Such encroachments, many illegal, may be traced in Siolim Marna >> on Survey Nos 93/2,3 , 118/26A and 72/45 while two in Siolim- Vaddy – >> S Nos 306/9 and 307/18A. >> >> Other areas in Goa face similar problems, despite representations and >> complaints of citizens to both the Forest Department and the Town & Country >> Planning Department. >> >> GBA has decided to hold a consultation on the process proposed by the >> Government to finalise the Regional plan 2021 >> >> >> >> >> Sabina Martins Reboni Saha >> > Convenor Secretary >> >> Goa Bachao Abhiyan >> > > >
-- Tel: +91-9767701245 Visit www.savegoa.com -- Tel: +91-9767701245 Visit www.savegoa.com