Team Herald
MARGAO: The Save Mollem group has criticised the government for granting a surge of forest, wildlife, and environmental clearances, sounding the alarm over potential ecological damage to Goa's diverse ecosystems and biodiversity.
The group has also launched an online awareness drive to highlight the number and nature of these approvals, aiming to scrutinise each project’s impact.
“As part of due diligence processes, we welcome the work of a group of citizens that has been tracking the environmental, wildlife, and forest clearances in Goa,” said the Amche Mollem Citizen Group in a statement given to O Heraldo.
“Notable projects they have tracked include an environmental clearance of a proposed basalt stone quarry (Survey No. 11/1 part in Village Piliem, Dharbandora Taluka),” it stated.
The other projects include a controversial wildlife clearance of Kalem railway station, seeking recommendation of the State Board and National Board for Wildlife and forest clearance of the Tinaighat-Vasco Railway Doubling Project, where the Wildlife Institute of India will be paid Rs 474.78 lakh once again for another EIA and mitigation study.
“Tracking of these projects will ensure that citizens of Goa and State Wildlife board members will reject these projects early and follow up on what is dear to their heart,” the statement continued.
The group has compiled a detailed list of recent approvals across forest, wildlife, and environmental sectors. Each clearance and its current status have been meticulously recorded to promote transparency.
Forest Clearances
One of the major forest clearances involves the construction of a 400 kV Xeldem-Mapusa transmission line, along with the Xeldem-Xeldem 220 kV line—a large infrastructure project designed to expand Goa’s power network. The project recently moved from review by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to the nodal officer, where it awaits compliance review. Another significant clearance is for the construction of a residential house, which has now progressed to a finalized diversion order following earlier assessments at the state level. Meanwhile, the Tinaighat-Vasco Railway Doubling Project, after being temporarily removed, has resumed the review process, with essential details (EDS) raised, indicating continued assessment.
Other forest projects include network upgrades and utility infrastructure work, such as converting an overhead 11 kV network to an underground system in the Marli-Tirwal region. This specific project, carried out under a tribal welfare scheme, shifted from a pending status with the Technical Officer to the nodal officer, who has requested essential details. Additionally, a proposal for the Utsav Yoga Orchard involves re-diversion requests for land-use adjustments and various underground installations. This new submission is awaiting DFO scrutiny.
Wildlife Clearances
Wildlife-related projects are similarly extensive and include ongoing proposals for infrastructure within protected and sensitive zones.
The Narendra-Narendra 400 kV D/C quad transmission line, a high-priority project, now awaits a permit or rejection letter, marking an advance in the clearance process. An eco-tourism project at Surla, North Goa, aimed at developing eco-camps, recently progressed from the wildlife warden to submission status, signalling a potential move towards enhanced tourism within wildlife areas.
The BSNL 4G project, which targets improved rural connectivity, has approvals pending at Assodem and additional areas, with essential details still under review.
Among the more contentious wildlife approvals is the Kalem Railway Station project, which has generated debate due to its proximity to environmentally sensitive areas. This project’s clearances remain pending recommendations from both the State and National Wildlife Board. Various aspects of the project are in early review stages at the ministry level, with one segment requiring additional submissions to the Chief Wildlife Warden. Other wildlife projects, such as the construction of a minor irrigation tank at Charavanem and the electrification of Keri under tribal welfare, are progressing through preliminary reviews.
Environmental Clearances
The environmental clearance segment covers some of the state’s largest and most transformative projects.
These approvals include five new initiatives, such as a proposed convention centre, exhibition hall, and management training facility at the ONGC campus in Betul, South Goa. The list also includes mineral blocks in the Thivim-Pirna, Cudnem, and Cormolem areas, suggesting a planned expansion of mining and mineral extraction activities. Additionally, the basalt stone quarry at Piliem, which spans over 1.5 hectares, is being scrutinized due to its potential environmental impact on surrounding communities.
According to environmentalists, these clearances, be it forest, wildlife or environmental, collectively represent a broader trend of unchecked growth that risks compromising Goa’s ecological integrity.
While some projects aim to address infrastructure needs and connectivity improvements, environmental advocates argue they should not come at the expense of the state’s natural landscape. They are calling for more rigorous environmental assessments to ensure that large-scale projects do not result in irreversible damage to Goa’s natural legacy.