5 days ago
Curchorem STP: Govt denial of axed mangroves sparks ire
Margao:
Activists and locals are irked over the forest department's denial that any mangroves were destroyed during the construction of the sewage treatment plant (STP) at Curchorem.
Deputy conservator of forests, South Goa division, said that 'till date no mangroves trees are destructed for this project', while replying to an RTI question by Curchorem resident Sushant Vasta about mangrove destruction at the STP site.
However, this official stance contradicts what activists and locals claim to have witnessed during the recent joint inspection by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
A joint inspection was conducted on July 21 following a complaint filed by activist Aditya Dessai, who alleged that the STP construction proceeded without mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA) clearance.
The RTI reply, signed by deputy conservator Santosh Kumar Reddy V, said that while various documents including undertaking for replantation, affidavit, survey plan, and Forms I & XIV were available with the department, no mangroves have been destroyed for the project.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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'This is false information,' Dessai alleged. The protesters claim to have shown 'tell-tale signs of destruction of mangroves' to both the inspection team during their site visit. 'Besides, we have photographic evidence to nail their lies,' Dessai said.
Earlier, Dessai complained that the project's location on the Zuari riverbank resulted in potential environmental violations. The Curchorem STP project has been mired in environmental controversies with activists alleging several violations of environmental laws. The project's proximity to the Zuari river has raised concerns about its impact on the local mangrove ecosystem.
