Group opposes airports along Western Ghats (ToI)

Group opposes airports along Western Ghats TNN | Aug 5, 2013, 12.41 AM IST PANAJI: The people's convention on Western Ghats decided to oppose the proposed airports along the 1,600-km chain of the hill range, if they are set up at the cost of wetlands and paddy fields after activists raked up the issue of Mopa airport. M K Prasad, chairman of the organizing committee of the people's convention on the Western Ghats, clarified that they were not opposed to setting up of airports. "We are against reclamation of wetlands and paddy fields," he said. Social activist Bismarque Dias stated that there was no need for three airports, Dabolim, Mopa and another one in Maharashtra. But, social activist Dadu Mandrekar blamed lobbies in South Goa for "creating a smokescreen of opposition to the Mopa airport". Another participant also pointed out that it was aimless opposing projects for flimsy reasons. Environmentalist, T V Sanjeev said that five airports are proposed in Western Ghats and the issue should be viewed comprehensively for the impact on ecology. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Group-opposes-airports-along-Western-Ghats/articleshow/21608068.cms