My contribution to the betterment of Goa

Nandkumar Kamat
 

I read your appeal for Goan unity irrespective of location, creed, caste etc. Yes, We should have a single aim- to engineer a better future for our motherland, Goa. Automatically it would benefit India and Indians.

Like you I am infected by optimism. I am not memebr of any political party and do not subscribe to any political ideology. My ideology is to serve the planet and the humanity. What I have done for this small part of the planet and its' 1.4 million humanity?.

1. In 1990 I got the Goa Government to appoint a panel - Agricultural Land Development Panel (ALDP) to study the problems of the precious khazan lands (coastal saline paddy fields). Along with Dr. Varde, I slogged to prepare the ALDP report. It was presented in March 1992 to the then CM Ravi Naik. Since then I have followed the implementation of the report to protect the ecology and traditional economy of the Khazan lands which employ one lakh Goans directly.

success:- The Government is planning a new bill to conserve the Khazan lands, and from a Khazan land development board to promote co-operative management.


2. the Government appointed me Chairman of a committee to prepare (a) A new cultural heritage management legislation (b) Cultural heritage policy. We submitted the report in March 2001. A new bill is now with law dept. I perused the laws of 22 countries to help prepare the best bill for Goa.


3. There are 9 rivers and 42 tributaries draining the State of Goa but there was no master plan for the scientific and sustainable utilisation of their water resources. I am pleased to inform you that a master plan is now ready with projections till 2050 AD for Mandovi, Zuari, Talpona, Galjibaga rivers - meeting the projected needs of 5 million people, in the domestic, industrial, irrigation and tourism sectors. I was a member of the official panel which prepared the four volume plans from May 1998. A follow up action program has been given by me to the CM and water resources Minister Ramakant Khalap.

4.Under the umbrella of Goa Foundation I am coordinating the National Biodiversity State Action Plan which involves documentation of local knowledge of biodiversity and natural resources. This is a national programme supported by UNEP. Once our State Plan is ready Goa would be able to manage its' natural resources and biodiversity in a planned and sustainable manner. This is an example of Central Government, State Government, Environmental NGO, activist-academician/scientist
co-operation.

I could write further. I have worked with different governments, different politicians without compromising anywhere. It is the power of idea and commitment that would works, not empty criticism or rhetoric.

A political solution is not possible for Goa's problems because the agenda at the time of elections is different.

We, as Goans, must do what is best, offer our services, and leave behind a legacy which hopefully the new and dynamic generation will continue in order to fulfill our dreams and aspirations.

I fully agree with your appeal, the sentiments and the concerns. Despite cut-off from Goa, it shows your love for our tamdi mati. This is the spirit Shenoy Goembab expected from true Goans.

Dr. Nandkumar Kamat
September 19, 2001

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