Panaji, Aug 1 (TIWN) Three proposed central government projects, including expansion of a national highway and doubling of South Western railway tracks will cause ecological devastation in Goa, as well as deeply impact the coastal state's tourism industry, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has said in a letter to the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court on Friday.

In his letter, Kamat also said that the projects would degrade the habitats of several endangered wildlife species, which are found in the two wildlife reserves — where the proposed projects are partly envisioned — including that of the national animal, the Royal Bengal tiger.

“As a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly and Leader of Opposition, I believe in standing up for the interests of Goa and I am not at all in favour of these dubious forest clearances given for these three linear environmentally destructive, infrastructure projects in Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem national park,” Kamat said. Both the wildlife reserves are located in South Goa and are contiguous with forested areas in Karnataka.