Ecology suffered in Nuvem, states bio-diversity board (Herald)

February 8, 2014 TEAM HERALD MARGAO: In a report that has virtually conformed to the apprehensions raised by Nuvem farmers and activists over the Nuvem road bypass construction, the Goa State Bio-diversity Board has come out clear stating that the project has had detrimental effects on the local ecology, economy and biodiversity. The farmers and activists, however, are aggrieved that the Biodiversity Board have not assessed the impact the road construction would have on birds and fish species in and around the paddy fields, especially the Rumbder bandh. Says activist Zarinha Da Cunha: “Farmers and citizens had knocked the doors of the Goa State Biodiversity Board to conduct a study of the fish species and birds in the area. We have not seen a mention of the study in the report”, she said. Pointing out to a competent and authentic research and documented study by the academic fraternity of Nuvem, Da Cunha informed that the same had revealed that the paddy field of Rumbder bandh plays host to at least 65 species of birds, both resident and migratory, besides at least 23 species of fish in the adjoining river Sal. “The paddy cultivators who grow both rabi and kharif crops are aggrieved due to the loss caused by the newly constructed, ill-conceived link road at Nuvem causing them a loss of livelihood, posing a threat to their life and dwellings due to flooding and siltation and pollution detrimental after-effects on the bio-diversity, micro-organisms, water-table of the village”, she added. In the report, the GSBB observed that shifting of sediment load into paddy fields can have impact on the soil fertility status, besides altering the water quality of ephemeral water bodies as also that of the river Sal. “Increased sediment load shall alter the trophic status leading to changes in species composition of flora and fauna”, the report said. It said the altered topographic features of this fragmented landscape may interfere with navigation skills of winter migrants. The report also speaks about a significant load of sediments being washed into the river and also the paddy fields during the rainy season given the proximity of the bypass road to river Sal an important lifeline of Salcete. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Ecology-suffered-in-Nuvem-states-bio-diversity-board/85136.html