After the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that the off-shore casinos cannot be shifted from the Mandovi river 'abruptly', Goa Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar today ordered a casino ship anchored near Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary to move away.
"Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is the sole bird sanctuary of the state and a protected area. Any kind of nuisance in protected areas can have direct impact on the birds and ecology," Arlekar said.
Deltin Caravela, an off-shore casino vessel, was anchored near the sanctuary, leading to protests from independent MLA Rohan Khaunte, Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, activist Aires Rodrigues and others.
Arlekar said the Forest Department will ask the Home Department and the Captain of Port to shift the vessel. "The vessel is anchored within 100 metres of the bird sanctuary.
It is responsible for noise and air pollution, having direct impact on the birds and the environment at large," he said.
He had sought details of the vessel from the Captain of Port last week but was yet to receive response, Arlekar added.
Earlier this morning, the Chief Minister had ruled out immediate shifting of casino vessels anchored in Mandovi.
"Government is not sleeping. We are trying all possibilities to shift the vessels from river Mandovi. (But) Just because few people want, we cannot abruptly shift the vessels," Parsekar had said.
