Citizens' involvement needed to protect environment: Governor (ToI)

Citizens' involvement needed to protect environment: Governor TNN | Aug 23, 2013, 01.08 AM IST PANAJI: Goa governor Bharat Vir Wanchoo appealed for a greater involvement of citizens in protecting the environment of the state. The governor made the statement at a meeting of the Goa state environment protection council on Thursday. The governor said, "While it is undoubtedly the responsibility of the authorities to take care of this issue, we as citizens are also duty-bound and need to do our bit to keep the environment clean. I think we need to build stronger public opinion on this and try and ensure greater involvement of the citizenry in these efforts. We owe this to the future generations of Goa. I would therefore, on this occasion, like to appeal to the people to do their bit and assist the authorities in keeping our beautiful state of Goa clean and healthy." The governor said that Goa is comparatively free from major pollution, but warned that people should ensure that the natural environment is protected and all places of human habitation are maintained clean and healthy. "There should be a balanced approach to increasing developmental needs with environmental priorities. In fact, in every area of human endeavour, environmental concerns should be given priority and importance," he said. Wanchoo also lamented that despite the stringent laws in Goa, conditions in many areas are bad. "Strict supervision and surveillance is essential if we want to maintain and ensure cleanliness at public places. Those who violate the law and spoil the environment should be penalized as per the law. The condition in our hospitals and their surroundings should be maintained with special care," he said. Citing health department statistics, Wanchoo said that from October 2012 to July 2013, Goa had 1,301 cases of malaria, 77 cases of dengue including one death and eight cases of chikungunya. "These figures are not very alarming, but our concern and efforts should be directed towards making Goa free from such serious problems," the governor said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Citizens-involvement-needed-to-protect-environment-Governor/articleshow/21987926.cms