NT NETWORK
Margao
Around 400 people gathered near Chandor church on Saturday evening for raising concerns over government’s ‘anti-environment’ projects.
A few prominent persons offered tributes to the great leaders of yesteryears — Dr Jack Sequeira and Shabha Desai, who fought for the state of Goa.
Later, the key speakers spoke on how the “state government is planning to destroy Goa and its environment with the anti-people projects.”
Joy D’Silva, in his address, highlighted how the “state government is planning systemically to destroy the state in the name of development.”
He said that the people have to be united to fight back over these projects which include, double tracking, and extension of power lines by destroying thousands of forest trees in Mollem.
Vikas Bhagat from Canacona explained how dangerous it would be to allow these ‘destructive’ projects proposed by the government. He urged the people to collectively fight against these projects.
Prajal Sakhardande said that the people need to pressurize the government to stop the proposed projects as it would drastically destroy the state’s environment and ecology.
“We should ask the government to stop these projects,” he urged. Later, a jyoth was lit at the site and ‘magnnem’ was made in a traditional manner at the site.
Earlier, a street play was performed by the children from Canacona, highlighting the message of the need for unity.
The programe that was organised by the villagers with the support of social activists and environmentalists, was compered by Garat D’Silva.
“The jyoth was supposed to be taken to Cuncolim, the historic place on Sunday, but due to imposition of model code of conduct for ZP elections in Goa, it would not be done,” said Felix Furtado, one of the organisers.
