Margao, July 17, 2017 …. Town and Country Planning Minister, Shri. Vijay Sardessai inaugurated one week programme on “Landslide Risk Mitigation” organised by Collectorate, South Goa District, Margao in association with Geological Survey of India at Seminar Hall, Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex, Margao.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Sardessai said, State have unplanned development issue, mostly having development on hill slopes and areas which have gradient. He also pointed that unplanned development takes place as State doesn’t have Regional Plan. Most probably landslides happen because of such unplanned development and most of the disasters take place as people do not understand Mother Nature.
Shri Sardessai urged the need to preserve fragile ecosystem areas which includes mountain slopes, low lying area, khajans, private forests, conservation zones. Government is working to bring forward Regional Plan 2030, having Double Development Right (DDR) policy which will be first of its kind in the country by which Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarpon will be protected he said. He also commended organisers for bringing all officials together for this programme and be prepared to face something which may happen.
While welcoming the gathering Shri. Swapnil Naik said that earlier Goa was considered stable as far as slopes and landslides are concerned. But subsequently due to unplanned development it became vulnerable to landslides Shri. Naik pointed. Landslide is a very complicated issue, he remarked.
Smt. Avelina D’sa, Joint Mamlatdar, Salcete compered the programme. Additional Collector, Shri. Johnson Fernandes proposed vote of thanks. Officials from various Government Departments took part in this programme.
Director, Geological Survey of India, Dr. Pankaj Jaiswal and Dr. Jorson Fernandes were the prominent persons present on the occasion.
