GOAMAP manifesto seeks debate on mining in State

Herald, 18 April 2009, Panaji

With elections round the corner political manifestoes promising the goodies, which never be fulfilled, are rolling out by dozens, but don’t think these manifestoes are solely the domain of political parties!

Now the Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) has come out with a manifesto to political parties on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections calling these for a debate to rescue the future of the State which, according to it, is being held to ransom by the mining industry.

GOAMAP, which is a citizen’s initiative composed of people directly affected by mining, has called for a comprehensive review of all mining leases in Goa. One-fourth (1/4) of the State (67,822) hectares of land is under mining leases that were granted by the Portuguese from 1929 to 1959, it claims.

It states that since then the population of the State has increased three times and as a result complete feasibility study on mining must be undertaken immediately.

GOAMAP has held that mining should be closed down in a phased manner beginning with eco-sensitive zones like forests, agriculture, people’s habitats, lakes, springs, ponds, rivers, wells and all other water bodies, dams etc.

It has proposed that mining leases should be terminated where people are protesting due to its ill effects. Places like Advalpal, Colamb, Rivona, Sirgao, Morpilla, Khola, Kudnem, Pali, Bicholim, Sattari, Surla, Mayem, Cavrem, Sulcorna, Sarvan an Korgao figure in the list.

It has also called for termination of mining leases in watershed areas and catchment areas of major dams like Selaulim, Opa an Assanora, supplying water for drinking, irrigation and industry.

GOAMAP has asked the political parties to confiscate wealth accumulated by mining companies in the last 50 years and from it create a special fund for the restoration of settlements where mining leases have been terminated.