Yes to Forests, No to Double Tracking.
The three projects proposed under the pretext of ‘development’ in Goa’s Mollem had been revoked by the SC on 23rd April 2022 on the grounds that it was an “economically and ecologically unviable” project. This included the double-tracking of the railway between Castlerock and Kullem. The SC, however, permitted the submission of a new proposal if necessary.
Update - 31st October 2022:
The Velsao-Pale-Issorcim village panchayat will be approaching the Supreme Court against the double tracking. After a meeting held with villagers, they have expressed their commitment to take action against the project. The village panchayat has also filed two pending petitions before the Bombay High Court at Goa.
Where we Stand as on 12th September 2022:
The Railways Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has asked Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The purpose of the new study is being questioned by the scientists who worked with the #SaveMollem campaign for three reasons.
Firstly, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has deemed this an economically and ecologically futile exercise.
Secondly, because a new EIA would delegitimize the initial EIA
Lastly, it will undo the efforts of the community members and scientists who had worked to avoid the depredation of the fragile ecosystems in the Western Ghats.
As such, opposition to the new EIA comes from the understanding that it will inevitably result in reversing the initial victory.
Why do we care?
The Northern Western Ghats are listed as one of the most important wildlife corridors in the country. The halting of the newly proposed EIA by the Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and delegated to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is important because
1) The doubling of railway tracks poses a direct threat to biodiversity and ecosystems.
2) because the doubling does not improve the efficiency of the railway system at all.
The Western Ghats, which are home to endangered species that include Tigers, Moss Dear, Gaur, Dhole, and certain dragonfly species that are endemic to the Ghats, are a fragile ecosystem.
The laying of the double tracks will result in wider openings that will fragment this ecological zone. This is bound to cause casualties amongst animals attempting to cross the rail tracks and render the biodiversity hotspot significantly more fragile.
For example, the Goan Shadow Dancer (Idionyx gomantakensis) species of dragonfly’s habitat is adjacent to the proposed double tracking site, which is bound to get disrupted by the railways.
The Unnecessity Is Already Established
In a report released by the Central Executive Committee dated 23/04/2021 it has been deduced that the double tracking will not be of benefit to the railway systems, as even the double-tracked railways would have to operate through severe limitations like the existing single line.
Join us in asking the Railway Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) and the Wildlife Institute of India
to immediately stop the planning of the double railway tracks between Castlerock and Kullem as it threatens the wildlife
and revoke their decision to conduct the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
Sources:
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Scientists-object-Railway%E2%80%99s-new-plan-on-double-tracking-project/193934
https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/scientists-question-fresh-eia-for-castlerockkulem-double-track/88731.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348112705_On_the_inadequacy_of_environment_impact_assessments_for_projects_in_Bhagwan_Mahavir_Wildlife_Sanctuary_and_National_Park_of_Goa_India_a_peer_review
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/supreme-court-panel-against-rail-double-tracking-project-in-goa/article34420858.ece
Yes to Forests, No to Double Tracking.
The three projects proposed under the pretext of ‘development’ in Goa’s Mollem had been revoked by the SC on 23rd April 2022 on the grounds that it was an “economically and ecologically unviable” project. This included the double-tracking of the railway between Castlerock and Kullem. The SC, however, permitted the submission of a new proposal if necessary.
Update - 31st October 2022:
The Velsao-Pale-Issorcim village panchayat will be approaching the Supreme Court against the double tracking. After a meeting held with villagers, they have expressed their commitment to take action against the project. The village panchayat has also filed two pending petitions before the Bombay High Court at Goa.
Where we Stand as on 12th September 2022:
The Railways Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has asked Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The purpose of the new study is being questioned by the scientists who worked with the #SaveMollem campaign for three reasons.
Firstly, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has deemed this an economically and ecologically futile exercise.
Secondly, because a new EIA would delegitimize the initial EIA
Lastly, it will undo the efforts of the community members and scientists who had worked to avoid the depredation of the fragile ecosystems in the Western Ghats.
As such, opposition to the new EIA comes from the understanding that it will inevitably result in reversing the initial victory.
Why do we care?
The Northern Western Ghats are listed as one of the most important wildlife corridors in the country. The halting of the newly proposed EIA by the Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and delegated to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is important because
1) The doubling of railway tracks poses a direct threat to biodiversity and ecosystems.
2) because the doubling does not improve the efficiency of the railway system at all.
The Western Ghats, which are home to endangered species that include Tigers, Moss Dear, Gaur, Dhole, and certain dragonfly species that are endemic to the Ghats, are a fragile ecosystem.
The laying of the double tracks will result in wider openings that will fragment this ecological zone. This is bound to cause casualties amongst animals attempting to cross the rail tracks and render the biodiversity hotspot significantly more fragile.
For example, the Goan Shadow Dancer (Idionyx gomantakensis) species of dragonfly’s habitat is adjacent to the proposed double tracking site, which is bound to get disrupted by the railways.
The Unnecessity Is Already Established
In a report released by the Central Executive Committee dated 23/04/2021 it has been deduced that the double tracking will not be of benefit to the railway systems, as even the double-tracked railways would have to operate through severe limitations like the existing single line.
Join us in asking the Railway Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) and the Wildlife Institute of India
to immediately stop the planning of the double railway tracks between Castlerock and Kullem as it threatens the wildlife
and revoke their decision to conduct the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
Sources:
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Scientists-object-Railway%E2%80%99s-new-plan-on-double-tracking-project/193934
https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/scientists-question-fresh-eia-for-castlerockkulem-double-track/88731.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348112705_On_the_inadequacy_of_environment_impact_assessments_for_projects_in_Bhagwan_Mahavir_Wildlife_Sanctuary_and_National_Park_of_Goa_India_a_peer_review
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/supreme-court-panel-against-rail-double-tracking-project-in-goa/article34420858.ece
Thank you for signing the petition to Save Mollem Again!
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Thanks for all that you do,
The Jhatkaa.org team
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