The hills and the vegetation and forest cover crowning them protect the State from the harsh winds during the monsoons. The forest cover on the hills also functions as a sponge to hold water, which slowly recharges underground water sources in the valleys below.

Goa has many natural springs, some of which are considered to have health-
giving and prophylactic properties. Several hundred Goans are dependent on these natural springs as sources of pure water.

The lateritic soil of the Western Ghats is ecologically fragile. Any cutting of a hill or portion thereof is detrimental to the ecology of the whole of the Western Ghats. Cutting also causes landslips and landslides to occur during the monsoons. This causes undue damage to life and property.

They suggest that an amendment be affected to the Draft Regulations to the effect that the definition of "Development" be re-drafted to include the words "cutting of a hill or any portion thereof", and the definition of "Development" be re-drafted to include "filling of low-lying areas" and should include ecologically sensitive lands such as mangroves and paddy fields.

The group says that they are not aware if any studies carried out before the conversion was made or of any study that justifies the cutting of this hill-slope to accommodate the building.

They are also deeply concerned about the width of the road in front of the proposed building. The road is presently unable to accommodate cars on both sides for parking. The building is to be located just below the historic building that presently houses the High Court of Bombay at Goa. It is also going to be in the near vicinity of the Mary of Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim's main landmark and tourist attraction, a place of worship and the venue for an important annual fair (feast).

Moreover, the site is located at an already busy traffic junction where four roads meet at the foot of the hill.

NATURE CAMP AT NANELI: Nisha D'Cunha comanised a Nature Camp for about 38 students of the Shiksha Niketan run by her, at the Faria Farm in Naneli-Sttari. A few parents and school teachers also attended the camp.

GOA'S BIODIVERSITY CATALOGUED: A meeting of the National Bio-Diversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP), a country-wide project by the Ministry of Environment, meant to document the bio-diversity of the country and to examine the threats and formulate plans involving the public to promote these resources, was held at the Generalate & Reanimation Centre, Society of Pilar, on May 30. In Goa, the nodal agency is the Goa Foundation under the Forest Department for the 10-month project, which will culminate into an Action Plan. The final report will be prepared by Dr Nandakumar Kamat of the Goa University on the basis of the 10 reports, which were presented by experts in biodiversity and discussed at the one-day meet.

BANK'S CLAIM ON SONSODDO: The Margao Municipal Council, which was being praised for the Sonsoddo garbage project, may be losing the 15,000 sq mt dump site to the Bank, which had funded the Komex company to set up the garbage project. In the meanwhile, a study by the Margao Municipal Council has found that the Sonsoddo garbage dump has Rs.27 lakh worth of natural compost since 54 years of uninterrupted dumping has converted the garbage into compost naturally.

COAL/COKE POLLUTION: The Goa State Pollution Control Board has expressed its willingness to provide monitoring of the results of the coal and coke dust problem caused due to the handling of coal at the Mormugao Port Trust, to the Mormugao Municipal Council. A delegation, led by the chairperson of the Mormugao Municipal Council, met the Union Minister of State for Shipping, Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, and submitted a memorandum in this connection.

CATERPILLARS INVADE FIELDS: Swarms of caterpillars are playing havoc in the paddy fields of Sanguem and Pernem talukas. The Agricultural Department officers fear that the infestation may spread to other areas if the prevailing pattern of irregular rainfall continues. The farmers have also keep track of the birds which have been eating the seeds sown in the fields. Every few minute one hears a load shout, a cracker being burst or tins being banged to scare the birds away.

UNTREATED WATER FOR CANACONA: The residents of Canacona have been forced to drink untreated water since June 11, following the transfer of the lone technician from the Shristhal water plant.

NO POLLUTION THREAT: The Goa Coast Guard said in a press note on June 20 that there is no threat of oil pollution from the ship "MT Heng Sen", which sank off the Goa coast on June 12, following an explosion in its engine room.