EDITORIAL
Efforts to push green energy and manage coastal resources are commendable
In a push for green living and development, the Goa government signed two MoUs, one with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to set up a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and advanced battery swapping facilities across the state and the other with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to collaborate on the revival of khazan lands and to establish a Centre of Excellence for Natural Resource Management and Ecotourism in the state.
While on the face of it there may not be a direct connection between EVs and natural resource management, such initiatives nevertheless help to make sustainable living possible.
With the Centre strongly pushing EVs, which will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote cleaner air quality while promoting sustainable transportation, the setting up of more charging stations is the need of the hour. It also makes more sense to push EVs in the state given our high vehicle density, which is a major contributor to increased carbon emissions. However, for people to opt for EVs, there has to not only be parallel infrastructure available, but other benefits and subsidies must also be easy to avail.
As per the MoU with IOCL, the CM said that the company will also provide other basic facilities such as toilets and changing rooms at fuel stations at no cost to the state. This will be a new and much-needed feature along highways. Goa has been spending crores of rupees on its promotional campaigns abroad, but there are no basic facilities along its highways. Being a tourist destination, at least one in North Goa and maybe two in South Goa should have been constructed long ago. And while providing toilets and changing rooms is a welcome step, it will have to be ensured that they are well maintained.
With respect to the MoU with TERI, the CM said, “The Centre of Excellence for Natural Resource Management and Ecotourism will focus on coastal and marine resource management, promotion of the blue economy, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, livelihood enhancement, water resource conservation, ecotourism, sustainable and renewable energy, mining and related sectors.”
The Centre will be able to play a productive role, considering that all our natural resources, particularly along the coast, are under tremendous pressure. Further, Goa has a huge potential for a blue economy and ecotourism, among others. Ecotourism without biodiversity conservation has no meaning.
It’s interesting that in the same MoU, the government has spoken of the revival of khazan lands, which are singular to Goa and need to be preserved at all costs. Over the years, large tracts of paddy fields have been sacrificed for “development”. The argument for this is that fields are left fallow. It is not economically feasible to do farming on a small landholding, resulting in khazans remaining uncultivated. If the government comes up with some incentives, many farmers will join in to bring in a green revolution. Ultimately, it is to be seen how much the government will do to preserve this age-old heritage of Goa. Last year, after several MLAs expressed concern over the survival of khazan farming due to a lack of funds with the agriculture department to repair bundhs, the CM announced plans of setting up a Khazan Development Board.
Also, it’s better late than never that the efforts are on towards green energy and coastal resource management.
