The Citizens Welfare Committee has won the first round of battle against the South Goa Planning and Development Authority when the PDA handed over copy of the Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao to the activists. The plan, however, cost the CWC around Rs 1500

Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco has appealed to all Goans, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or political affiliation, to remain united and strengthen the hands of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat in the fight against the establishment of Special Economic Zones till the last stone is unturned in the larger interest of the state.

It may be couched in grand words as an initiative to

Residents of Sirsaim-Tivim have unanimously resolved to oppose mega housing projects in their village. At a largely attended Gram Sabha on Sunday, the villagers demanded the revocation of a construction licence issued to a mega housing project at Walkeshwar vaddo near Bodiem-Tivim. The panchayat had issued the licence for the construction of a project, comprising 22 bungalows, 10 apartments, one tennis court and two swimming pools.

The less-nurtured plantations with medicinal value will now get a fillip as the Goa Forest Development Corporation is venturing into a major project - conservation and commercial in nature - of medicinal plantations in the State. According to data procured by this paper, the project seeks to protect rare and endangered species of medicinal plants and thereafter explore commercial markets for tapping its produce. The General Manager of the GFDC Dr F L Coelho told Herald that a project report would be submitted to the Union Ministry shortly for Central funding for a period of three years.

Governor S C Jamir on Monday emphasized the need for a comprehensive forest policy for the State for long-term planning and management of state forests. Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the

The State cabinet today approved the Mid-Day meal scheme to the students of standard five to eight. Disclosing this at a press conference, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that the scheme which was now catering only to the primary level and would now cover middle school (from fifth to eighth standard). He said the scheme will have a financial implication of Rs 9 crore annually. Presently around 76,000 students are covered under the scheme and the new scheme will cover additional 86,782 students from government and government aided schools.

The Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday appointed National Enviornmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to conduct a survey to determine the consequences of mining activities on water resources and agriculture of Shirgao village in Bicholim taluka.

Residents from Shivsorem and Colomba in Rivona are gearing up to oppose an iron ore mining lease, with a public hearing slated for June 18 from 11 am at Rivona V K S S Society, Rivona. Residents have alleged that the mine owner started operating from the mine since September 2007 without obtaining any permission from mining department or Ministry of Environment and Forest. However, Mines department in May stopped the operations.

By Val & Tino On the occasion of the World Environment Day (WED), we moved around town for a survey to assess the degree of public awareness. In keeping with the day's spirit, we took the walking option, simultaneously ensuring that no traces of carbon in the footprints were left behind.