Locals plan march to save islands

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, FEB 1
Residents of Mormugao taluka who are up-in-arms against the Navy’s controversial plan to acquire two islands off Baina, will march to the Secretariat on Wednesday to highlight their opposition to the acquisition.
According to sources, the protest rally will be an embarrassment to the State Government, as its own legislator and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho is leading from the front to stop the acquisition of St George (Grande Large) Islands and Pequeno Island off the coast of Baina.
Godinho has received an overwhelming response from most panchayats in Mormugao – Bogmalo, Chicalim, Sancoale, Velsao, Cortalim and Cansaulim. The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) had also adopted a resolution to oppose the acquisition of the islands.
Announcements were also made in most churches in Vasco and Cortalim constituencies, appealing people to oppose the defence ministry’s proposal to acquire the islands.
Councillors Carlos Almeida, Sudesh Korgaonkar and Tara Kerkar have asked their supporters to join the movement to save the islands.
“I have taken the issue during the ‘calling attention motion’ during the present Assembly session. The islands are the livelihood of many fishermen, besides tourists’ destination”, said Godinho.
Godinho has urged the people of Goa to oppose defence ministry’s move to ensure that tourism interest of Goa is safeguarded.
“We had passed a resolution in September 2010 that the State Government should not allow the acquisition of islands. We have also written to TCP and South Goa Collector conveying our strong opposition”, said Councillor Carlos Almeida.
Meanwhile, affected people from Khariwado will also take part in the protest rally to request the State Government to take appropriate measure to save their structures that have been facing the axe, as the Council has made it clear that the demolition would be carried on February 7.