log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 2023 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 13 pages PRICE ` 8 The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 273 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 चला क� हे वषर् गुढी उभा�न आकाशी, बांधुन तोरण दाराशी काढुन रांगोळी अंगणी, हषर् पे�नी मनोमनी, क� सु�वात नव वषार्ची ! Selaulim dam height: Greens see red FEAR PROPOSAL WILL HARM ECOSYSTEM RATHER THAN RESOLVE WATER SHORTAGE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Environmentalists are opposing the Goa government’s proposal to increase the height of the Selaulim dam citing potential ecology and wildlife impact and flooding of Netravali wildlife sanctuary. At an agricultural event on Monday, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar suggested raising the dam’s height and building 4-5 small dams across Goa to tide over Goa’s water crisis during summer. Green activists fear the idea will only harm Goa’s ecosystem rather than resolve water shortage. “By increasing the height of the dam, the problem of water crisis will not be resolved but it will be one of the reasons to destroy the ecology. Government’s focus should be to afforest the dry patches, as this VOICES OF DISSENT: DAM(N) IT „„By increasing the height, the problem of water crisis will not be resolved but it will be one of the reasons to destroy ecology „„Govt’s focus should be to afforest the dry patches, as this concept will help in storing rainwater for release during the lean season „„Could be a potential threat to Netravali wildlife sanctuary and the human population living close by „„Before any ground action, govt ought to obtain permission from NBW and MOEF&CC „„Submerged land area will increase, which ultimately will affect wildlife areas „„Need to protect & restore local water resources concept will help in storing rainwater for release during the lean season,” noted environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said.   There are also apprehensions that if the proposal gets a green signal, it will flood a significant portion of the adjacent Netravali wildlife sanctuary, Udarna tribal hamlet and the other nearby areas. “The Netravali wildlife sanctuary is located close to on plateaus, hills and low-lying areas „„FLASH BACK: During the reign of then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, around 200 vasant bandaras were constructed in Dharbandora, Sanguem and Sattari talukas.  the Selaulim dam. Raising the height could be a potential threat to the sanctuary and the human population living close by,” Kerkar said. Before any ground action, the Goa government ought to NATURAL WATER BODIES TO BE REVIVED IN THANE-SATTARI >> See pg 5 obtain permission from the National Board of Wildlife which is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi; and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Environment activist Abhijit Prabhudesai echoed Kerkar’s views adding that the submerged land area will increase, which ultimately will affect the wildlife areas and the local community. “It is most stupid to think of higher or more dams when the US, Europe and all reasonable countries are having dam removal programs, based on experience and science,” he said further adding, “Instead, we have to protect and restore our local water resources on plateaus, hills and low-lying areas, for which the first step is to totally freeze land use changes.” Activist Nirmala Sawant emphasized the height of the dam while seeking time to study the issue thoroughly.  The biggest man-made dam in Goa is a major source of providing water for irrigation and drinking purposes. Almost the entire South Goa -- except Canacona -- and a small portion of North Goa are dependent on the dam.   The environmentalists also countered the government’s proposal for building additional dams maintaining that repairing the existing and building more bandaras will serve the purpose. During the reign of then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, around 200 vasant bandaras were constructed in Dharbandora, Sanguem and Sattari talukas.  Covid cases shoot up; be on guard, says CM 24 new cases detected, advisory issued THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Close on the heels of two cases of H3N2 being detected in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged people with flulike symptoms to avoid crowded places and opt for isolation even as 24 new cases of Covid were detected in the last 24 hours. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an annual event, CM said that people should take precautions. “We are monitoring the rise in Covid and influenza cases. People will have to take precautions and the government has simultaneously issued an advisory. Those having flulike symptoms should avoid crowded places and opt for isolation,” he said. On Monday, the Directorate of Health Services advised the general public to follow Covid appropriate be- People have to take precautions… the government has simultaneously issued an advisory. Those having flulike symptoms should avoid crowded places and opt for isolation — Pramod Sawant, CM haviour by observing good personal hygiene, practicing frequent hand washing with soap, following respiratory etiquettes (cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing as far as possible try to cough in elbow), avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of respiratory illness and to wear a mask in case of cough or runny nose. The State is reporting a gradual rise in Covid cases with the number of active cases crossing 100-mark on Monday.