'Urgent need to protect Goa's resources'

Paul Fernandes, TNN, Jan 22, 2011, 12.43am IST


PANAJI: Raising concern about the impact of rapid growth on the state's rich ecosystem and resources, 36 young climate champions from 19 countries across the world urged the Goa government, policy makers and others to initiate measures to protect the same on an urgent basis.

The group-from seven European countries, USA, Uganda, five Asian countries, including India, and other nations- handed over a memorandum with a five-point agenda for action called 'Goa declaration' to environment secretary V K Jha at the International Centre, Goa, at Dona Paula, on Friday.

"Exponential growth in activities such as mining and tourism has resulted in deforestation and the decline of ecosystems, pushing them towards their tipping points," the memo stated.

Addressing the declaration to all Indian citizens, local residents, the scientific community, media, NGOs and others as well, the group, who concluded a seven-day camp in the state under a British council flagship programme, said any changes may impact the entire ecosystem of the "tropical paradise" and one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world.

"We emphasize the need for urgent action-protection, conservation and necessary change-to preserve this diverse and fragile environment," the declaration, drafted after field visits to sites and research institutions during the group's third annual international camp, stated.

Urging the government and companies to involve communities through forums and awareness camps about mining activities, the climate champions suggested geographical restrictions to curb indiscriminate mining in critical habitats. "Reclamation and recovery of mining sites must be made mandatory, environment impact must be assessed prior to mining and conservation should be monitored and enforced," the declaration suggested.

The representatives called for an inventory and protection of ecosystems with high levels of endemism and ecosystem services and a halt to the encroachment on slopes and plateaus of the Western Ghats.

"People should emphasize on nature interpretation and production of food in the areas already used for agriculture for the next 20 years," they added.

The champions also mooted the idea of local firms chipping in to raise a 'community eco fund' in a bid to restore hinterlands and forest habitats, to combat pollution and to promote eco-tourism activities with the involvement of the local people.

"Service providers should be subject to a progressive tax for the resources used and these should be distributed for conservation."

Stating that natural resources, including biodiversity, micro-climate, weather patterns, and land-based livelihoods are all interlinked, the declaration suggested sensitizing school children, the media and others to conservation issues through various means.

Suggesting the best use of Goa's economic potential with regard to ecological assets, the declaration stated: "United and pervasive management strategies with significant penalties will provide a strong boost for citizens and tourists to behave correctly in conservation areas."

Calling for the strict enforcement of CRZ rules, the Goa declaration concluded that pollution and uncontrolled exploitation of water courses and coastlines needed to be strictly regulated.

Assuring the group that the government would strive to implement the declaration as best as possible, Jha said, "We must hope to at least limit the effects of climate change in the times to come."

The energy and research institute (TERI) director Ranjana Saikia encouraged the climate champions to continue motivating policy-makers to consider climate change initiatives.

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Urgent-need-to-protect-Goas-resources/articleshow/7337295.cms#ixzz1BjDJZnov