It is sad to note that Goans in general and our politicians in particular have preferred to sacrifice the health of the community in pursuit of wealth
Dr Joe D’Souza
What type of development do we truly require for Goa, as we march along towards the end of the second decade of the 21st century?
We must learn that “Industrial Revolution” ushered across Europe over two centuries ago. We must also study the sort of economic development, based on the up thrust of technology woven through the optimal use of fossil fuels.
The metallurgical growth 300 years ago was based on the use of coal, coke, charcoal, which led to the production of various forms of iron, steel and other metals, in which carbon was used to reduce the oxides of these metals. Thus, we produced and used metals in structural engineering, consumer product development, boost cable production in power generation and electrical and electronics upgradation. The focus on environment and public health was an issue not considered for sustainable and holistic development of the society during the earlier periods of the “Industrial Revolution”.
It was only after those working in the mines clearly suffered from respiratory ailments and poor quality of life, and also when the people discovered that rivers like Thames, Rhine, Danube were nearly dead; that Europe woke up to ill effects of industrial effluents and the disastrous effects of the acid rains that ravaged Europe.
Today, in Europe, lots of emphasis is given to renewable energy resources, especially solar, wind thermal and salinity gradients, with biomass and garbage derived fuels like biogas or methane production or alcohol based gasoline for running cars is gaining momentum.
We are also seeing the close of the era using fossil fuels and the dawn of the use of renewable sources of energy. But how is India doing in this race? Although PM Narendra Modi is on the forefront of the international arena promoting use of solar energy, Goa’s CM has been leading the march of the “State of Goa” backwards.
Sadly, we have a Goa State Pollution Control Board with scientific staff on it doing absolutely nothing to stop pollution and degradation of Goa.
From the casino and the cruise boat menace destroying the rich biodiversity of River Mandovi to killing the residents of Panjim with uncontrolled garbage, traffic woes and crime. The salubrious living has become a nightmare. It is utterly shocking to see the Captain of Ports destroying the Mandovi river front, lined up with casinos, cruise boats and offices of the casino owners.
How can we as Goans allow such pollution to go on? What are the pseudo greens or the green wolves in sheep’s clothing doing? While they shout from the rooftops against the cutting of a lone tree by their neighbor; their deafening silence over the rampant coal pollution at Vasco by MPT is an alarming sign for Goans who crave holistic, sustainable and a healthy lifestyle.
The model of development adopted by the Europeans three centuries ago and now considered obsolete and abandoned is considered relevant by the crooked and cruel BJP government of Goa, which is in power as of now in our beauty rich State of Goa.
Granted that all the arms of Goa governance are working in tandem to destroy and degrade Goa; be it GSPCB, Department of Environment, Conservator of Forests, CoP, GCZMA TCP and all planning bodies of the State and the autonomous corporation too but why are we the people silent about the degradation of Goa. Are we in deep slumber or is it as we say “Maka Kideak Poddlam”. Our numerous NGOs, too, are working in an extremely limited way for a very limited purpose. The rest of Goa does not consider coal pollution at Vasco a grave menace to society at large, just as the Mandovi pollution is not the concern of the rest of Goa.
We expect the rest of Goa to take up the challenge to clean up Goa, “except our own self”.
Do we all realize that coal pollution looks innocuous but the ill effects of coal dust is not only felt on the site or in the close proximity of the coal handling area, but carried ahead through air, water and soil pollution. Coal pollution is not just carbon pollution, but contains sulphur, silica, vanadium, arsenic, lead, and other hazardous heavy metals, which are dangerous to our lungs, skin, eyes, nervous system and the entire digestive track and glands, depending on the quality of coal and the impurities in it.
I have explained to the scientists working in the Goa State Pollution Control Board Board that they have to order the MPT as well as agents like Adani, Jindals or Ambanis to ensure that the “Quality Control” certification of the cargo handled in Goa must be made from two above agencies. The export control authority in the country from where the cargo is exported eg. Australia, Indonesia or Philippines and the other the Government of India, Import Control Authority that clears the coal imports into India must certify the quality of coal handled.
Besides, GSPCB too, must take random samples and also get the MPT to carry out independent chemical and physical analysis. It is time for us Goans to realize that “Health in fact is Wealth”. GSPCB is misleading Goans when it says that coal handling is not solely responsible for Vasco air pollution. This is letting the fish off the hook and not nailing the guilty in the court of law.
It is shocking to realize that Goans in general and our politicians in particular have preferred to sacrifice the health of the community by and large in the pursuit of wealth, particularly for their own selfish interest. It is time for us Goans to rely on ourselves and make polluters pay the price before Goa becomes a “Paradise lost”.
