Senior faculty of Shri Mallikarjun College Dr F M Nadaf has stated that there is every possibility of the repetition of October 2 incidents of landslides like opening up of the Kuske mountain in other regions like Khola in future. Dr Nadaf was speaking while giving an audio-visual presentation on nature’s fury in Canacona taluka during the October 2 floods on National Science Day observed by Canacona Rural Science Centre of Marathi Vidnyan Parishad, Goa, in collaboration with Shri Damodar Vidyalaya, Loliem, at Loliem recently.Scientist and member secretary with Goa State Council of Science and Technology Dr Joseph D’Souza also gave audio-visual presentation and spoke of Canacona floods on the occasion. During open discussion, State awardee teacher Ulhas Bhatikar opined that Konkan Railway bridge built over Galgibaga River in some way was also responsible for the Canacona floods that razed over 90 houses and rendered over 2,000 people homeless on October 2 last Year. Chandrakant Prabhudessai, Vikas Dessai and Vishwas Prabhudessai were some of the people who took part in the discussion. Interestingly, some speakers said reports prepared on the issue and submitted to the State government continue to lie in cold storage, as no follow-up action of any nature was visible in the entire taluka.
Prizes to the winners of last years Science exhibition Shri Nirakar Vidyalaya and Shri Damodar Vidyalaya were awarded, while Chandralekha Mestry and Devendra Tawadkar were felicitated by presenting mementos for shining at State level in the field of Science during the current year. dr Manohar Prabhudessai was honoured for successfully working in medical field in USA for the last 40 years. Earlier, Damodar Science Club group presented a welcome song, Shri Damodar Vidyalaya Headmaster Shambu Prabhudessai welcomed the gathering. Rural Science Centre, Canacona, President F Y Prabhugaonkar proposed the vote of thanks, while Secretary Datta Moni compered the function.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
CANACONA AND ITS RIVERS
The rivers of Galgibag, Talpona and Saleri have developed spits at their mouths over the years. This may threaten the identity of rivers, explains Dr F M Nadaf, an associate professor in Geography at Shree Mallikarjun College of Arts and Commerce, Canacona.
Dr Nadaf further said that a spit is a long narrow accumulation of sand, pebbles, or shingles with one end connected to the mainland and the other projecting out into the sea or across an estuary due to deposition by onshore drift. Geomorphologically, such features are very common to coastal areas.
Due to the increase in size of the spits, all the three rivers are becoming narrower. The latest satellite image shows that the mouth of the river Saleri is 18 meters, river Talpona is 30 meters and river Galgibag is 44 meters. In the past, these rivers had wide open mouths, Dr Nadaf pointed out.
If the present rate of deposition near the mouths continues, in the decades to come, these rivers will turn into lakes. The rivers are not only becoming narrower, but also becoming shallower.
The riverbed of these rivers is visible to the naked eyes during the low tide. This will have very serious impact on Canacona and its people. It will affect the agriculture and fishing activity, said the associate professor, adding if the mouths of the rivers are closed, the sea will not be able to supply saline water to these rivers and this will affect the rare mangrove ecosystem.
“Due to decline in the depth of rivers because of siltation, the water-carrying capacity of these rivers has and will decline further. Such situation would result in flooding and submergence of fertile agricultural tracks,” he observed.
Talpona, Galgibag and Saleri spit formations have matured and become solid projections over the years, he pointed out adding hence, there is an urgent need to de-silt rivers and scientifically treat the spit formations. Unscientific treatment will lead to serious ecological problems including gushing of seawater into the river thereby destroying the entire area.
Dr Joseph Rauto D’Souza, chief scientist, DST, is of the opinion that there is an urgent need to study these coastal formations microscopically by using remote sensing and geo-spatial techniques to avoid any disaster in the future.
“Over a period of time along and with a change in wind direction, the end of spits becomes a hook like structure, as observed at Galgibag River. These geomorphic zones are potentially highly vulnerable to sea-level rise which could cause the low-lying areas and associated tidal flats to be permanently inundated and lead to major erosion of the supra-tidal areas, which happened during the floods in Canacona on October 2, 2009,” he said.
During spring tide cycles low-lying areas of the spit, get completely inundated. Over prolonged time scales the sandy barriers have become stable and with sufficient sediment supply, will grow with a rising sea-level,” he said.
Talking about morphology features in rivers, the scientist said, “When the wave movement at times cannot go beyond the spit, due to break in the wave energy, under this condition a sheltered area is formed where silt is deposited and mud flats or salt marshes form.
This is a unique estuarine feature which is developed in the Zuari river, at the Agassaim village. Barrier spits are actually bars that cut off a small part of water inland; the body of water becomes a lagoon which is conspicuous at the Mandrem village beach”
Dr Nadaf further said that a spit is a long narrow accumulation of sand, pebbles, or shingles with one end connected to the mainland and the other projecting out into the sea or across an estuary due to deposition by onshore drift. Geomorphologically, such features are very common to coastal areas.
Due to the increase in size of the spits, all the three rivers are becoming narrower. The latest satellite image shows that the mouth of the river Saleri is 18 meters, river Talpona is 30 meters and river Galgibag is 44 meters. In the past, these rivers had wide open mouths, Dr Nadaf pointed out.
If the present rate of deposition near the mouths continues, in the decades to come, these rivers will turn into lakes. The rivers are not only becoming narrower, but also becoming shallower.
The riverbed of these rivers is visible to the naked eyes during the low tide. This will have very serious impact on Canacona and its people. It will affect the agriculture and fishing activity, said the associate professor, adding if the mouths of the rivers are closed, the sea will not be able to supply saline water to these rivers and this will affect the rare mangrove ecosystem.
“Due to decline in the depth of rivers because of siltation, the water-carrying capacity of these rivers has and will decline further. Such situation would result in flooding and submergence of fertile agricultural tracks,” he observed.
Talpona, Galgibag and Saleri spit formations have matured and become solid projections over the years, he pointed out adding hence, there is an urgent need to de-silt rivers and scientifically treat the spit formations. Unscientific treatment will lead to serious ecological problems including gushing of seawater into the river thereby destroying the entire area.
Dr Joseph Rauto D’Souza, chief scientist, DST, is of the opinion that there is an urgent need to study these coastal formations microscopically by using remote sensing and geo-spatial techniques to avoid any disaster in the future.
“Over a period of time along and with a change in wind direction, the end of spits becomes a hook like structure, as observed at Galgibag River. These geomorphic zones are potentially highly vulnerable to sea-level rise which could cause the low-lying areas and associated tidal flats to be permanently inundated and lead to major erosion of the supra-tidal areas, which happened during the floods in Canacona on October 2, 2009,” he said.
During spring tide cycles low-lying areas of the spit, get completely inundated. Over prolonged time scales the sandy barriers have become stable and with sufficient sediment supply, will grow with a rising sea-level,” he said.
Talking about morphology features in rivers, the scientist said, “When the wave movement at times cannot go beyond the spit, due to break in the wave energy, under this condition a sheltered area is formed where silt is deposited and mud flats or salt marshes form.
This is a unique estuarine feature which is developed in the Zuari river, at the Agassaim village. Barrier spits are actually bars that cut off a small part of water inland; the body of water becomes a lagoon which is conspicuous at the Mandrem village beach”
CANACONA AND KIDNEY AILMENT
Medicos in Goa will undertake a gigantic exercise of collecting urine samples of more than 40,000 people from Canacona taluka to demystify various kidney diseases, which have risen at an alarming frequency in this southernmost corner of the state.
Except children below ten years of age, urine samples of everyone (nearly 44,000 people) in the taluka will be collected and tested from August 15 onwards, Dr Shekhar Salkar, President, Indian Medical Association of Goa Unit told PTI today.
"Once we detect suspected patients through urine diagnosis, their blood would be tested so that the treatment can begin at once," Salkar said.
A group comprising doctors, para-medics, anganwadi workers and volunteers has been formed for the project with the help of State Directorate of Health Services and Manipal Group of Hospitals.
The tests would be conducted to quantify protein, albumin and red blood cells (RBC) in the urine.
Canacona taluka has emerged as a trouble area with kidney ailments attaining alarming proportions over several decades.
Rough estimates point out that of the total patients admitted in state-run Goa Medical College (GMC), 80 per cent are from Canacona taluka.
"Almost one out of two persons from Canacona belong to Pagi or Velip community. These communities are high risk groups for this disease," Salkar said.
According to Prof FM Nadaf, a geographer about 70 per cent of the people from Canacona taluka on an estitmate are suffering from kidney ailments.
The government record indicates that there are 394 kidney patients in this taluka, of which 94 are regularly taking dialysis at the state government hospital.
An Urban Health Centre at Canacona has conducted 25,000 dialysis since 2003, when the machine was commissioned there.
"The problem here is acute. There are large number of people who realise that they are suffering from kidney ailments at much later stage," Vasudeo Pagi, a journalist from this taluka, said.
Pagi lost his father and aunt to this disease.
Repetitive studies by Goa government through private agencies have failed to pinpoint the reason behind the kidney cases.
"I personally feel that the cases may be basically because of chemical composition of water in this area," Nadaf said.
Dr Salkar said that till now many studies are conducted but no cause could be identified.
"Now we want to have early diagnosis so that there is early treatment," he said.
Except children below ten years of age, urine samples of everyone (nearly 44,000 people) in the taluka will be collected and tested from August 15 onwards, Dr Shekhar Salkar, President, Indian Medical Association of Goa Unit told PTI today.
"Once we detect suspected patients through urine diagnosis, their blood would be tested so that the treatment can begin at once," Salkar said.
A group comprising doctors, para-medics, anganwadi workers and volunteers has been formed for the project with the help of State Directorate of Health Services and Manipal Group of Hospitals.
The tests would be conducted to quantify protein, albumin and red blood cells (RBC) in the urine.
Canacona taluka has emerged as a trouble area with kidney ailments attaining alarming proportions over several decades.
Rough estimates point out that of the total patients admitted in state-run Goa Medical College (GMC), 80 per cent are from Canacona taluka.
"Almost one out of two persons from Canacona belong to Pagi or Velip community. These communities are high risk groups for this disease," Salkar said.
According to Prof FM Nadaf, a geographer about 70 per cent of the people from Canacona taluka on an estitmate are suffering from kidney ailments.
The government record indicates that there are 394 kidney patients in this taluka, of which 94 are regularly taking dialysis at the state government hospital.
An Urban Health Centre at Canacona has conducted 25,000 dialysis since 2003, when the machine was commissioned there.
"The problem here is acute. There are large number of people who realise that they are suffering from kidney ailments at much later stage," Vasudeo Pagi, a journalist from this taluka, said.
Pagi lost his father and aunt to this disease.
Repetitive studies by Goa government through private agencies have failed to pinpoint the reason behind the kidney cases.
"I personally feel that the cases may be basically because of chemical composition of water in this area," Nadaf said.
Dr Salkar said that till now many studies are conducted but no cause could be identified.
"Now we want to have early diagnosis so that there is early treatment," he said.
COMMENTS ON REGIONAL PLAN GOA 2021
Dr F M Nadaf in his observations on the RP 2021 plan, which has been out for public perusal stated that the authorities are patting their own backs by claiming that they have made everybody happy by notifying RP 2021. Though the plan has a few positive points, in reality all is not well with the plan, he said.
The State Level Committee on Regional Plan affirms that till date, certain departments have submitted incomplete data while others have not responded at all and the RP Department was left helpless for the want of accurate data. The committee is of the opinion that poor data base means poor planning. The simple question that needs to be asked is what is the authenticity of RP-2021 in the absence of accurate data?
On the basis of guidelines adopted, Dr Nadaf said that it is clear that SLC has extensively used Google Images for corrections and identification of various features. How can such a sensitive document be prepared by using Google? India is a global leader in the field of Remote Sensing. ISRO has launched special satellites for cartographic work, he said, and further noted that the state of Goa also has a Remote Sensing Department. The SLC should have used this latest technology for making surface utilisation plans instead of simply using Google Images.
Dr Nadaf further pointed out that Surface utilisation Plan of Canacona has a number of grave errors. About 9, 80,000 square metres of additional land is added to the total geographical area of Canacona taluka. From where is this land brought? As per RP 2001, Canacona covers 35107 hectares of land whereas RP 2021 claims the total geographical area as 35205 hectares.
Fortunately, High Tide Lines and No Development Zones are shown on the plans. But such a provision is not made along the rivers. According to CRZ, along the tidal rivers No Development Zone is 100 meters or equal to the width of the river, he states.
RP Plan for Canacona shows concentration of mangroves only in Poinguinnim panchayat whereas in reality, mangroves are also present in Loliem-Polem panchayat, Agonda panchayat and Canacona municipal area. These aren’t new additions by Mother Nature, he quips.
The GI (General Industries) proposed in Poinguinnim panchayat is located in an ecologically sensitive and disaster prone area. The proposed GI is situated at a distance of less than 150 meters from the Galgibaga River. Such a step would be ecologically suicidal, Dr Nadaf pointed out.
Our population growth is expected to be negative between 2001-2021. RP 2021 has proposed at least one MIZ (micro-industrial zone) in our villages. About 5 MIZ’s with a minimum area of 2, 50,000 square meters are proposed for Canacona taluka apart from GI’s. The jobs created by MIz’s will encourage further in-migration from various parts of the country. Every village is also required to provide additional land for various other purposes according to SUP (Surface Utilisation Plan). I don’t think our villages are so big to give so much of land. Then we will be forced to use land earmarked for Eco Zone I.
SLC should have proposed to expand the existing industrial estate in Canacona instead of MIZ’s with modern facilities.
Dr Nadaf said that about 8500 individuals had given positive suggestions, but it appears from the surface plans that most of the valuable suggestions are ignored. Modification in the base map of Canacona municipal area was requested in the earlier plan, but the authorities did not rectify it.
Between RP 2001 and RP 2021, there was a big vacuum. We are late by 10 years in implementing RP 2021. Dr Nadaf stated that the Planning Department must start working on RP 2050 well in advance and the next plan should be the ‘peoples plan’, he opined.
Dr Sangam Kurade, an industrialist while talking on the RP 2021 said that industrialisation for promoting employment in Canacona is a must, so while framing and finalising the policy, the government should have taken the locals into confidence. As far as industrialisation is concerned, no opinion of the local industries has been taken and hence the policy becomes haphazard and not fully people-oriented, he confirms.
Micro-industries are a good idea, but the ` 60 lakhs needed is a big amount for the people of Canacona. Along with this, is the government assuring the required land, electricity, water and other facilities and pre-requisites, questioned Dr Kurade.
Presently, there are no plots of Goa Industrial Development Corporation available to set up such industries, so will the government avail land for such industries is a question mark, he felt.
Former deputy sarpanch of Poinguinnim village panchayat and sitting panch, Mr Satish Poinginkar in his comments stated that as far as the settlement zones are concerned, this has been earmarked correctly. However, where cultivation and residential houses existed, nothing has been correctly marked and hence it is confusing.
Mr Poinginkar said that the panchayat had asked that about 2 lakh square metres of land be shown for settlements in case of natural calamities, but this has not been earmarked. This is significant considering the incidence of natural calamities in Canacona.
He further told that it was proposed to allot land for a road, a garden and a school in Kulti which has been rejected; the only demand satisfied here was allotment of land for a playground. He further noted that the area in the Buffer Zone should have been shown as 1 km and not the 50 metres shown in the plan.
The Loliem-Polem panchayat authorities and the Cotigao panchayat authorities are yet to receive the notification copy asked by them, and thus could not comment. The Gaondongrem VP on the other hand has no sarpanch and no deputy as both recently resigned from their respective posts.
The State Level Committee on Regional Plan affirms that till date, certain departments have submitted incomplete data while others have not responded at all and the RP Department was left helpless for the want of accurate data. The committee is of the opinion that poor data base means poor planning. The simple question that needs to be asked is what is the authenticity of RP-2021 in the absence of accurate data?
On the basis of guidelines adopted, Dr Nadaf said that it is clear that SLC has extensively used Google Images for corrections and identification of various features. How can such a sensitive document be prepared by using Google? India is a global leader in the field of Remote Sensing. ISRO has launched special satellites for cartographic work, he said, and further noted that the state of Goa also has a Remote Sensing Department. The SLC should have used this latest technology for making surface utilisation plans instead of simply using Google Images.
Dr Nadaf further pointed out that Surface utilisation Plan of Canacona has a number of grave errors. About 9, 80,000 square metres of additional land is added to the total geographical area of Canacona taluka. From where is this land brought? As per RP 2001, Canacona covers 35107 hectares of land whereas RP 2021 claims the total geographical area as 35205 hectares.
Fortunately, High Tide Lines and No Development Zones are shown on the plans. But such a provision is not made along the rivers. According to CRZ, along the tidal rivers No Development Zone is 100 meters or equal to the width of the river, he states.
RP Plan for Canacona shows concentration of mangroves only in Poinguinnim panchayat whereas in reality, mangroves are also present in Loliem-Polem panchayat, Agonda panchayat and Canacona municipal area. These aren’t new additions by Mother Nature, he quips.
The GI (General Industries) proposed in Poinguinnim panchayat is located in an ecologically sensitive and disaster prone area. The proposed GI is situated at a distance of less than 150 meters from the Galgibaga River. Such a step would be ecologically suicidal, Dr Nadaf pointed out.
Our population growth is expected to be negative between 2001-2021. RP 2021 has proposed at least one MIZ (micro-industrial zone) in our villages. About 5 MIZ’s with a minimum area of 2, 50,000 square meters are proposed for Canacona taluka apart from GI’s. The jobs created by MIz’s will encourage further in-migration from various parts of the country. Every village is also required to provide additional land for various other purposes according to SUP (Surface Utilisation Plan). I don’t think our villages are so big to give so much of land. Then we will be forced to use land earmarked for Eco Zone I.
SLC should have proposed to expand the existing industrial estate in Canacona instead of MIZ’s with modern facilities.
Dr Nadaf said that about 8500 individuals had given positive suggestions, but it appears from the surface plans that most of the valuable suggestions are ignored. Modification in the base map of Canacona municipal area was requested in the earlier plan, but the authorities did not rectify it.
Between RP 2001 and RP 2021, there was a big vacuum. We are late by 10 years in implementing RP 2021. Dr Nadaf stated that the Planning Department must start working on RP 2050 well in advance and the next plan should be the ‘peoples plan’, he opined.
Dr Sangam Kurade, an industrialist while talking on the RP 2021 said that industrialisation for promoting employment in Canacona is a must, so while framing and finalising the policy, the government should have taken the locals into confidence. As far as industrialisation is concerned, no opinion of the local industries has been taken and hence the policy becomes haphazard and not fully people-oriented, he confirms.
Micro-industries are a good idea, but the ` 60 lakhs needed is a big amount for the people of Canacona. Along with this, is the government assuring the required land, electricity, water and other facilities and pre-requisites, questioned Dr Kurade.
Presently, there are no plots of Goa Industrial Development Corporation available to set up such industries, so will the government avail land for such industries is a question mark, he felt.
Former deputy sarpanch of Poinguinnim village panchayat and sitting panch, Mr Satish Poinginkar in his comments stated that as far as the settlement zones are concerned, this has been earmarked correctly. However, where cultivation and residential houses existed, nothing has been correctly marked and hence it is confusing.
Mr Poinginkar said that the panchayat had asked that about 2 lakh square metres of land be shown for settlements in case of natural calamities, but this has not been earmarked. This is significant considering the incidence of natural calamities in Canacona.
He further told that it was proposed to allot land for a road, a garden and a school in Kulti which has been rejected; the only demand satisfied here was allotment of land for a playground. He further noted that the area in the Buffer Zone should have been shown as 1 km and not the 50 metres shown in the plan.
The Loliem-Polem panchayat authorities and the Cotigao panchayat authorities are yet to receive the notification copy asked by them, and thus could not comment. The Gaondongrem VP on the other hand has no sarpanch and no deputy as both recently resigned from their respective posts.
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