Tel :( O): 2419821 2419522 Fax: 2419854 Mobile : 9822160941 Smt. ALINA SALDANHA Minister for Forest & Environment, Secretariat, Porvorim – Goa.
Ref: MIN. FOR & ENV/PRESS/2012-13/ Dated: 11/07/2013 PRESS NOTE Mrs. Alina Saldanha, Minister for Forests & Environment in a Press Note released today stated that it has been reported in the newspapers that MPT is currently processing two proposals of private parties for setting up floating hotels in the Zuari river. In this article MPT has not specified the actual location of these hotels. MPT Chairman’s statement that "It is left to the proposer where they want to anchor the floating hotels and accordingly, the space will be provided to them" makes dangerous reading. He has further said, "The MPT will not achieve much, but it will help boost tourism in the State." It appears that MPT is only interested in revenue generation for itself and is not bothered about the ecological and environmental damage such projects may cause to the state or its people. It is also not bothered if its mega projects adversely affect the other stakeholders in the area such as Ramponkars, Magkars and small time fishermen. MPT continues to exercise the powers which were entrusted to it during the colonial period. MPT should not be allowed to treat the rivers and inland/coastal waters of Goa as its private fiefdom leasing acres of water to various parties. MPT also claims to have signed 2 MOUs with Private parties for setting up marinas in the Zuari River. The areas proposed for the Marina Projects are very rich in biodiversity but for MPT it is only an area of water which can leased out for income generation regardless of the costs to people, their livelihood, the environment and ecology. Matanhy had always fought for de-notification of MPT jurisdiction over inland and coastal areas (water) and had even made a specific mention in his manifesto of this as one of the issues to be taken up with the Centre. Mrs. Saldanha said that it is high time the State Govt. takes up the matter with the Central Govt. to ensure that MPT's powers/jurisdiction is restricted to only a well defined port area, as is the case with other ports in India. She further called upon the Goan Freedom Fighters to raise their voices so that this Portuguese era law, prevailing only in the State of Goa and which is detrimental to the interest of the State and its people is repealed at the earliest. Sd/- ALINA SALDANHA (Min. FOR & ENV) --- SEND YOUR feedback to alinasaldanha2...@gmail.com and goa...@goanet.org