Goa must start taking measures to mitigate the effects of change in weather
On Tuesday, unseasonal showers brought much respite from the sweltering heat. Several parts of the state’s hinterland –Sattari, Bicholim, Ponda and Dharbandora talukas – were lashed by thunderstorms. However, they caused significant damage to crops, horticulture and even houses in those areas. Some villages had to go without power.
One may say this occurs one or two months before the southwest monsoon hits the Goa coast. With climate change impacting the world, Goa cannot be an exception. On the horticulture front, Goa is already witnessing changes in the flowering pattern. Unseasonal rain can delay planting and harvesting schedules. The cashew crop has been delayed in many parts of the state. We are already seeing an increase in temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, soil erosion, etc. Some of these manifestations impact the health of citizens too.
The fallout of Tuesday’s unseasonal rain spell was seen even on road conditions in Salcete. The Sonsodo stretch of the Margao-Curtorim road became unmotorable. With leachate spillage combined with rainwater, the road turned hazardous, leading to multiple accidents. Citizens say this is not new, but the authorities have failed to take preventive measures.
2024 was officially the hottest year on record, topping an extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures, with the past 10 years (2015–2024) being the warmest on record. “Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “There’s still time to avoid the worst of the climate catastrophe,” he added. “But leaders must act – now.” The central government is seized of the matter, an action plan has been prepared, and all states have been asked to take necessary measures.
Reports say that climate change has altered marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. It has caused the loss of local species, increased diseases and driven mass mortality of plants and animals. A UN report said that on land, higher temperatures have forced animals and plants to move to higher elevations or latitudes, many migrating towards the Earth’s poles, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems. The risk of species extinction increases with every degree of warming.
In Goa, environmentalists have been emphasising for many years that the state’s biodiversity and forests must be protected to reduce the impact of climate change. However, what Goa is facing is the diversion of forests for “development works.” Nearly two decades ago, there was uproar over the proposal to change the zoning of land use from orchards to settlements. Ironically, the political class that once opposed such plans is now at the forefront of efforts to convert paddy fields and eco-sensitive zones into settlements.
Goa has competent people to address the issues related to the impact of climate change. A document has already been prepared by the state government to tackle these issues. However, the implementation of the Goa State Action Plan on Climate Change must be put on the fast track to minimise the impact of climate change. Proper interdepartmental coordination is the need of the hour to mitigate the effects of climate change in Goa. Students and NGOs need to be involved. We need to protect and restore ecosystems, undertake mass afforestation, adopt sustainable practices, reduce the use of fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy sources, build climate-resilient infrastructure and much more.
