Massive destruction of Forest cover in Colamb, Rivona

Here are pictures of massive destruction of Forest cover at Colamb, Rivona in Sanguem Taluka. Click here
for details of the matter. Colamb villagers approached South Goa Conservator of Forest in Margao Mr.Bidi on August 13, 2009 to bring this to his notice. He behaved very rudely with the villagers and asked the villagers to get out of his office. Villagers staged 'Gandigiri' and refused to get out of the office. Mr. Bidi then cooled down and agreed to send the department team for on the spot inspection of A.X.P Palondicar as well as of Hiralal Khodidas mining lease operated by Fomentos was inspected. Here are some pictures straight from the Forest.

What will remain if all the Goa's Forest is finished at the alter of mining industry? What will happen to Western Ghats Forests? What will happen to every living organism in and around forest for which all the Indian Citizens are duty bound to be compassionate towards via Fundamental duties in Indian Constitution? How do we collectively put an end to the dictate of mining industry that has held all of us ransom? What will happen all all the springs of the mountains dries up forever and Goa turns into a dessert? Should we let all this to happen? Please raise your voice for the sake of planet earth. Our planet is wounded and it needs time for rest. Please stop mining. Please bury your bulldozers into the soil and get out of Goa now. It is too beautiful and too precious to be offered as sacrificial goat to the mining industry. Please stop your nasty power play. We can take it no more. half a century of pain needs many years to heal. Please do not add more to our worries. We want to survive and live to experience life's mystery. Please do not bury Goa into the dustbin of history.

Please learn to respect life above your fattened briefcases bloated power hunger. It is enough! We can take this no more!

Forest department, please pack up your bags and go home. You cannot protect forest anymore. And Forest Minister and Chief Minister please pull up your socks and do something drastic to stop mining forever in Goa now.

Sebastian Rodrigues