Teachers highlighted the importance of green spaces for a child’s well being, the threat deforestation poses and the dangers of painstakingly teaching children science and civics
PANAJI
Teachers from across Goa have spoken out against the projects at Mollem and wrote to the National Board of Wildlife against the "devastating" infrastructure planned to cut through protected forests.
The letter opposing the projects was dispatched to the Board on the eve of Teachers Day on Saturday.
The three infrastructure projects set to cut through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park had earlier been opposed by a cross section of Goans including students, legal professionals, doctors and architects.
They previously wrote to the Ministry of Environment and Forests lamenting that due processes had been ducked granting the Board's nod to these projects.
“As teachers from Goa, we ask how we are expected to teach young people about their civic duty to protect Goa’s environment and its rich natural heritage, while it is stolen from them through illegal, unscientific manner. Are we expected to teach them about deforestation, global warming, and climate change, without bringing contemplation and thought to how we can do better, and how we can help to change these patterns?” the teachers wrote.
They said they stand in solidarity with more than 700 school and college students from across Goa who have previously written to the Board against the three infrastructure projects.
Among other issues, the teachers highlight the importance of green spaces for a child’s well being, the threat deforestation poses and the dangers of painstakingly teaching children science and civics while the leaders pay no heed when taking such decisions.
“There is no plan for reparation of the social and environmental damage to be done by the projects, the teachers wrote.
