Chichinim oppose market complex in agricultural land

“After studying the SGPDA Market Complex at Margao, which is stinking due to organic waste, plastic and other garbage thrown in the surrounding fields and properties, and after studying the Garbage thrown in low lying areas during filling at Margao and Navelim l, we recommend that the Chinchinim Market complex cum Panchayat Ghar be relocated to the existing CRC football Ground, so at to save our Chinchinim Cemetery, Church, School and prime paddy fields”, states Mr Frank Martins, President of Chinchinim Citizens Committee.

The President of the Union of Chinchinim Villagers, Mr Joe .M. Furtado also states that Chinchinim, which is the birth place of many football players, deserves Stadium cum Market Complex with other infrastructure near CRC football ground since it is centrally located and will not disturb the environment in any way.

Mr Jerry Fernandes, Ex - Dempo Sports Club football player, is also of the above opinion and states that the present part filling which has taken place should be turned into a beautiful garden for senior citizen and children as a due respect to all our departed.

Mr Delano Da Costa, Vice-President of Chinchinim Citizens Committee and member of Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott, also in favour of relocation of Market Complex, and states that due to Global warming our top priority should be to save the prime cultivated paddy fields, endangered species of frogs, turtles and other Flora & Fauna, as well as our forests. The Departments of Water Resources, Environment, Forests and Town & Country Planning should have guided the Government not to construct the Market complex in paddy fields. “During this environmental and economic crisis, the policy of self-praise through laying of foundation stones on one's own birthday, should be stopped”, he has further pointed out.

The unfortunate farmers who are struggling in sun and rain to cultivate paddy fields are yet to be recognized, since the National Farmers Policy 2007 is not implemented by the present selfish Government, inspite of repeated requests. The politicians and bureaucrats are again requested to implement correct policies, before it is too late for Goa.

World Food Day – a reminder of our dependence on farming

World Food Day ought to be a day to celebrate the sustenance provided by the earth to the human race and all living forms. The 8 billion strong and growing tribe of humans sitting on top of the food chain should feel exceptionally lucky. Instead, today this occasion brings first to mind numerous challenges being faced by the agriculture sector and the environment. The tiny State of Goa, which is being unscrupulously sold for real estate, mines, industrial estates and other speculative and unsustainable land uses, is on the verge of a collapse of its food and water security systems.

In Goa, there is an urgent need for introspection among the decision makers as well as the people. The State of Goa is blessed with heavy rains and the precipitation is trapped in the forests, the lateritic caps and the coastal wetlands to give Goa the ability to sustain a large population in self-sufficient villages. Goa is one of the places in India where ancient knowledge systems have survived from times immemorial, a fountainhead of wisdom necessary for the survival of mankind. This extremely tiny land hosts an incredible diversity of ecosystems, giving rise to a feeling of being in paradise. In this background, the rapid loss of agricultural lands to unsustainable land uses, fuelled by the large profits to be made, has created an emergency situation like never seen before. Blinded by greed, we have dared to mine in the extremely sensitive Western Ghats, permanently destroying what used to be heaven on earth. In the process, we have also lost forever our precious water. Similarly, industrial estates and even commercial housing have been indiscriminately imposed upon the lateritic plateaus in the midlands, without any consideration to the life-giving functions being carried out by the plateaus for the numerous villages existing at their feet, or for their religious and scientific reverence. Thirdly, real estate and starred tourism have changed pristine coastal villages into environmental time-bombs. The Government has also done its bit in many ways to hasten the doom, especially by ensuring that all Government projects are planned in the prime paddy fields being cultivated by poor ST and other farmers for centuries. This destruction of the Goan paradise is like living the story of the man who killed the goose the lays golden eggs.

GXE implores all Goans to take heed of the changing times and the challenges lying ahead. We need to mend our ways for the survival of the future generations. Saving our agricultural resources is today the biggest challenge. In this endeavor, the Government has to play a leading role by reversing the unsustainable policies of yesteryears, and it can start this process by immediately stopping acquisition of agricultural lands, and implementing the National Policy for Farmers, 2007, overdue for three years now.

Angonn 1 – First All Goa Meet of concerned villagers

Angonn 1, the first All Goa Meet of village groups organized by Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE), was a roaring success, with more than 130 dedicated grass-root activists participating in the day long deliberations at Margao today.

The participants, who shared their experiences, ideas, perspectives and dreams, included representatives from 58 villages, covering all the 11 talukas of the State. Various important issues related to the well-being and development of the State and its inhabitants, including water and food security, the plight of farmers, tribals and other residents, and other socio-economic and environmental issues were examined in detail by the participants in their presentations. The impact of the present policies being forced by the State on the present and future generations were also critically reviewed by the remarkable gathering of fearless and motivated social activists. The State policies with regards to mining, real estate speculation, land acquisition, tourism and industries were unanimously rejected by the participants, who also laid bare various evidences of the unholy nexus between greedy accumulators of wealth, corrupt bureaucrats and those voted by the people to 'save Goa', who are rapidly destroying Goa forever.

GXE again demands that the State and Union government immediately scrap all the anti-people policies with regard to mining, real estate, tourism and industries, which have been causing immense irreversible destruction within the tiny State. The legislators, executive and judiciary are hereby warned that unless they open their eyes, which seem to be blinded presently by greed, fear or otherwise, and act to stem the rapid destruction of the water, land and environment of the State, they shall be held responsible for the resultant sufferings of our children.

Pictures from Margao Independence day protest

Anthony D'silva from Ambelim today staged a dramatic protest near the collector's office, Margao just minutes before official flag hosting program was to commence. Collector then re-defined Indian independence and ordered police to whisk away Anthony D'Silva to the Margao police station. Anthony wore boiler suit, hung plastic bottles around his neck and held try colour Indian flag in his hand. He also carried a banner with message to Goa sate Chief minister Digambar Kamat to pay attention to problems of Garbage in Goa. Anthony was detained at Margao police station without booking him under any section of the criminal law. Then the protesters from Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvot who were also protesting at the venue marched to the Margao police station and secured Anthony D'silva's release from the police custody.

Group of freedom fighters like Gurunath Kelekar also took part in the protest.

This posting contains some pictures of the yet another historical day in the life Goa and its common people.

Pictures by Sidharth Karapurkar

Vanxim (Capao): face-to-face with neo-colonialism in Goa

I had been to Vanxim (Capao) island almost ten years ago with Joel D'souza and together we had done a story. It was beautiful and mesmerizing. The story is till available online if you click here. It was still enchanting and appealing today when I visited the island today August 8, 2010 with the team of around 15 people from all over Goa. But there was a difference. The island had turned into a commodity, property. Ten years ago it was a homeland of the 80 odd or so islanders. Today vocabulary had changed and it is aptly described in a letter written by Fr. Victor Rodrigues, Procurator, Archdiocese of Goa to Mahendra Gaunekar, chief broker and architecture drop out besides son in law of Architect Kurade of Aldea de Goa in Bambolim-Nauxi. In the subject itself of this letter dated 10th November 2009 states "Ref: immovable property - Vanxi at Capao." Church very clearly has been co-opted in the capitalist economy. This was a letter that first time gave a sense that I had run into more than a conventional social problem that can be solved with some quick-fixes. His letter was revealing. Here is a complete text of the same:

"Dear Gaunekar,

As we were re-arranging our records, files and documents in our office, we came across some notices issued by the mamlatdar to us under the Goa Agricultural Tenancy Act in respect of the above mentioned property.

We immediately applied for the certified copies of the relevant papers to the mamlatdar which are received on 4th Novemeber, 2009.

Since the said property has already been sold to you we enclose herewith the said papers received by us to enable you to initiate appropriate steps is so desired."

This letter first time gave me a sense that land has been sold to Gaunekar.

Then further investigation revealed further details: One lakh eighty five thousand square meters of land is sold by the church to Gaunekar on February 11 2006 at the rate of Rs.20/- per square meter. Total value paid to the church in this transaction is Rupees thirty seven lakh two thousand and five hundred.

In another separate transaction total land of 74.16 Acres (three lakh two hundred and seventy five square meters) belonging to Patriarchate of East Indies, the Church was sold via registered deed of Transfer and Assignments of rights on the same date February 11 2006. This time Church was paid Rs. 18,01,650/-. Fr. Arlino de Mello - attorney of Patriarch of East Indies Rt.Rev. Felipe Neri Ferrao - has signed the official documents at the sub-registrar, Ilhas. The other party is of course Mahendra Gaonekar.

The total land amounts to 4,85,275 square meters. For this land on record church has received total of Rs. 55,04,150/-. So here we have a deal. Church selling entire Vanshi (Capao) island to a broker Mahendra Gaonekar.

It is now a matter of history as to what Church in Goa did in 2005. On the one side it propped up Goa Bachao Abhiyan and put in its might behind it to force the government to retract on plans get RP 2011, on the other side it parleyed with broker Mahendra Gaounekar to crystallize the deal in 2006 February 11! No one can beat Church in its diplomacy! It's 2000 years of experience is at work here for sure.

And this is not all. Mahendra Gaonekar received his reward from the massive economic interests involved here to set up tourism villas, golf course and amusement park - Ozone Propex Private limited based at No.38, Ulsoor Road, Bangalore - Rs.30 crores as security deposit. So besides being sole inheritor of wealth massive riches of his father-in-law Kurade from Cuncolim - not only from mushroom trade but also from all the tribal and otherwise in legal possession in post colonial Goa - this is an additional bumper crop. Unconfirmed reports point out that it is business tycoon in kingfisher beer trade Vijay Mallya who is behind all this. Vijay Mallya has already has investments in beer factory in Ponda taluka of Goa and real estate in Candolim.

So its interesting cocktail of alliance between traditional caste-class elites of Goa: Church and merchant capitalists - brahmins with mega capitalists interests of India that can afford to pay Rs. 30 crores as security deposits. Many decades ago Frantz Fanon wrote in his famous book "The Wretched of the Earth" that the newly freed colonies would be turned into neo-colonies via tourism investments. This is so amply true in case of Vanxim (Capao) island in Mandovi river.

Villagers had settled land records according to the Mundcar Act as well as Tenancy Act. Now villagers are lifted to the office of Bicholim deputy collector and negative declarations made to sign under co-ersion and ignorance. Well church is not doing this. It is the agents of the brokers who are doing this. Church only sold the land at twenty rupees and thought it will go scot-free.

Land titles needs to be drastically changed: villagers must be legally deprived of their titles to land if the crores of investment must see the day of light and make sure that globes rich and famous begins their jaunts on Vanxi island in near future. This process has began. Villagers are served with notices from the office of Collector after stable land titles for a decade and half! Even people from Vanxi who works in Mumbai are made to make special trips to Goa only to appear before the hearing on these cases. This is at a time when law commission of Goa headed by Ramakant Khalap has recommended that all the mundcar and tenancy cases be upgraded to full-fledged ownership. But these trends in Vanxi is clearly designed by Church-capitalist nexus towards accumulation of wealth through dispossession of the same from people. Currently it is with people of Vanxi and various techniques including the State offices like Collector, deputy collector of Bicholim and inducted to serve this purpose.

Church is Goa too is headed by an Archbishop and he cares a hoot if Vanxi people are rendered homeless. He can very easily get some nuns and priests to do more charity after people from here are thrown into the gutter. It may even make few people saints. Church has a history full of instances. Brazalian Archbishop once famously remarked "When I serve the poor I am called saint. When I ask why poor I am called a communist!" I wonder what Goa's Archbishop has to say now when he had committed sinful blunder by selling off the island to few merchants of death, death to the Vanxim villagers? Is he aware and conscious what what he has done? I condemn this totally, unequivocally.

If the church in Goa profess to stand in the side of justice then this alliance with the oppressors is totally unexplainable. One side it has deputed full time priest and full time office for Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) and on the other hand involves itself in these nasty and dangerous action putting lives of entire people of Vanxi into danger? To whom is Archbishop of Goa going to confess your sins to? I sincerely feel Church in Goa is like a headless chicken that has lost all the brains and common sense.

Yet this is a beautiful example of secularism: Catholic and Hindu uniting together for a common purpose - to sell Vanxim island and put its residents and their future generations into grave risk. Perhaps it is co-incident that both the buyer and seller of the island - Archbishop as well as Mahindra Gaunekar are brahmins with common intention. One catholic brahmin sells the land to his fellow hindu brahmin at Rs.20/- per square meter. I paid Rs. 35/- today to take my decent vegetarian lunch. Land sold is cheaper than my lunch! In Panjim rate of land is Rs. 18,000/- per square foot. Not sure it was a gift or more money has exchanged hands off he record. After all Gaunekar has received Rs.30 crores it is unlikely that Church would satisfy itself with Rs.55,04,150/- unless Gaunekar has bullied the Archbishop.

This is second second church scandal that I have came across involving land of Santa Monica society. The first scandal took away land of tribal people in Dulapi and Mangado in Tiswadi and today stand Syngenta pesticides factory that is clicking time bomb that will take in its stride even the Old Goa world famous churches.

Why do church in Goa goes on getting into these scandals? After deep pondering I come the conclusion that Goa has entered into the era of neo-colonialism. The days of social problems are over. Just like Church came to Goa with Portuguese Colonialism, it is today very strong ally of new colonialism whose aim is all round exploitation and expropriation. What is happening in Vanxim (Capao) is exactly this. Church will have to make up its mind if it wants to continue siding with the neo-colonial forces hoping that traditional fear and respect it enjoy is going to overshadow these shady and shameful deeds or go in for drastic overhaul and reverse its alliances and go for full fledged committed alliance with the exploited by pushing for cancelling of the sale documents? Option lies before the church authorities themselves. If it does not reverse its position then it will be turning itself into an object of ridicule every time it speaks of justice. Action is louder than words. Goa's articulate and suave Archbishop would do well to learn this if he does not know as of now.

Any case irrespective of what the church decides the confusion is eroding rapidly. It is no longer a problem of corruption alone, land rights alone, ecology alone. It is a problem of power. It is a problem of tiny minority in Goa all out to sell Goa on a platter. It can be challenged with all the strategies needed to counter neo-colonialism. And today I saw the glimpse of this already. Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) representative there declared protest at the Lohia Maidan for 15 August 2010. Goa's freedom movement against neo-colonialism has arrived in its twilight. It will become stronger and bolder as morning descends and sun begins to shine bright in the day. People of Vanxim are the children of this twilight of yearnings of freedom and my salute and support to them from the deepest bottom of my heart! I commit myself in their struggle. Their struggle is my struggle too.

Today there were several people from all over Goa who came to support Vanxim villagers. There was GAKUVED President Durgadas Gaonkar outlined history of Santa Monica since 1710 in relation to getting land under their control. He expressed support to the struggling people. he also shared as to how their agricultural land in Dulapi and Mangado had been similarly handed over to industry - Ciba of India limited after being held by Santa Monica Society.

Ida Coutinho of GXE spoke about how villagers in Salcete coast has been cheated by hoteliers and real estate and asked Vanxim people not to fall prey to land sharks. Diego Francis Rodrigues from Terekhol, Pernem in his speech declared that Mudcar law and Tenancy laws are meant for the protection of people and Revenue department is all out to rob people's land title to give them to land sharks. He said that tenancy lands cannot be sold and that why instruments such as MoU, Agreements, and Power of Attorney is used to circumvent the hurdles of land transfer. He pointed out that already 42,000 mundkar cases and 57,000 tenancy cases are languishing in various courts in the State of Goa, and Law Commission chairman Ramakant Khalap has recommended that this be upgraded to full fledged ownership status by December 2012. Dilip Hegde, President of GXE declared his support to the struggle of Vanxim people. Sebastian Rodrigues, Convenor of GOAMAP identified various actors in the great sale of Vanxi island and declared support to the struggle. Number of villagers also spoke. One declared "we need Vanxi to die here". Second one crossed him "If we are driven away from here then how are we going to be able to die here?". "We will make sure that island remains with us to die and also future generations to live" replied the elder man of the village. "We will die while we fight together, we are ready for this". "We are against sand extraction that is going on in Mandovi river very close to the island."

This meeting was just outside the Vanxim Church and was well attended by the villagers. I noticed at least some fear from the few faces had disappeared from the faces of those present. The fear because it is the head of their catholic faith Archbishop himself had sold their land for peanuts. This is an insult as well as shock at the same time. Religion had made them so fearful and unquestioning and now they have to survive only with fearlessness and questing authorities - however mighty and powerful they may be. Church has aligned itself with neo-colonial forces and there is something as drastic in the worldview as the earth shaking volcano. I noticed it when I was there amongst the people in Vanxim.

Even though I shared good respect to Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao over the past 18 years I though I have a bigger responsibility to stand up for Truths and Justice. I leave it up to the Universe and History to judge me. I need to side with the truth and justice with all my might with scant respect for the consequences that may follow. Truth is what Jesus stood for. Jesus preached Kingdom. Church preaches Jesus. It has forgotten who Jesus is. Otherwise Church would not have sold Vanxim Island. For how much worth Judas had sold Jesus? Jesus can be re-discovered amongst the exploited like the Vanxi people. He seldom enters Palaces like the one that Archbishop lives in.

May the good sense prevail on all the concerned.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Carbon Footprint analysis workshop in Panjim

For the first time on August 14 2010 people in Goa will have an opportunity to participate in Carbon Footprint Analysis (CFA) to be conducted by Scientist Sagar Dhara from Cerana Foundation, Hyderabad. The workshop will be held at Caritas Hall, St. Inez, Panjim. People those wish to participate must confirm their participation to any of the phone number: 9623770690, 9423883169, 9881191328, and 9923336347.

Participants are required to come with a notebook, pen and a calculator. The workshop is jointly organized and supported by Nature Environment Society and Transformations (NEST), Daily Pudhari, Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvot (GXE), Dhulapi Nagrik Kriti Samiti (DNKS), and Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP).

This is a one day hands – on workshop meant to equip participants with the basic tools of how to compute carbon footprint for individuals and organizations and interpret the results.

Carbon footprint is an indicator of the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity and is expressed in kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2).

It is an indicator of the contribution a good or service, an individual, organization, a geographical area or a nation makes to global warming.

CFA is a very good method for raising public awareness about environmental issues as it allows the public to makes informed decisions about the priority areas that need to be addressed – both lifestyle and institutional change. CFA results can be easily understood by common people, and therefore it has gained public acceptability.

CFA is also a good educational tool as computations can be made with varying levels of complexity. The simpler versions can be used by secondary school children upwards.

CFA is a universal tool that can be applied to any product, person, organization or area anywhere in the world, and the results of such applications can be compared. CFA can be used to verify claims such as eco- friendly and sustainable development.

Several important policy issues can be better understood by understanding carbon footprint. A central part of the debate in the recent COP15 meet at Copenhagen and in the world revolves around historical and current per capita carbon footprints in developed and developing nations.

(Prabhakar Dhage)
Daily Pudhari

‘Over-mining will kill water sources, ruin agriculture in Goa’

JOAQUIM FERNANDES

Panaji, April 19, 2010: The mining boom in the hinterland of Goa, besides creating dust pollution and related health hazards, is also killing the water aquifers in the hills that are being mined and thus threatening agriculture in the hinterland talukas.

This is the consensus of a group of citizens and activists that went on an expedition to the mining belt on Sunday. The expedition was organised by the Goenchea Xetkareancho Ekvott (GXE), the Goa Federation of Mining Affected People (GOAMAP) and others. Starting from Quepem taluka, citizens in one bus and two cars visited the mining affected areas in the talukas of Sanguem, Ponda, Sattari and Bicholim.

Referring to the complete drying up of wells and natural springs and the consequent death of agriculture in Shirgao, Pissurlem and Advalpal, GXE president Deelip Hegde said, “These places in North Goa are already finished. But Sanguem and Quepem are in the first stages of destruction.”

“If the government does not regulate mining now, Goa is a gone-case,” said activist Bicholim-based activist Ramesh Gawas.

Entering Cavrem village in Quepem, the group sees a lot of greenery in the fields below. But above the fields are the ravaged, bleeding range of hills starting with “Devapan Dongor”. Writer and drama personality Hartman de Souza tells the group how the Paikachi Zhor and the sacred grove behind Devapan Dongor are now under threat. There are three mines on the hills and the fields below have already been sold, he says.

Just a little ahead in Maina village, De Souza relates a recent incident when the miners hit a water aquifer while cutting a hill and “there was a waterfall as wide as a car” that gushed for several days before drying up. Still further and a little before the government secondary school in Maina, De Souza shows on the left of the road, a low and long heap of mining dump. “It used to be a hill 3 years ago. I have climbed it. There were several natural springs in the area that used to flow into the Curca river. Now all have dried up,” De Souza says.

Vending its way through the forested landscape, the group sees the verdant majesty of the Western Ghats punctuated frequently by the red taint of mines. In the Collamb area of Sanguem, the group stops at the huge mining dump of the “Unanantlo Dongor” and Collamb-farmer Rama Velip steps forward to explain.

“This mine is illegal,” says Velip. “There is no environmental clearance for this mine. There was no agreement at the public hearing held in June 2008. This area has been demarcated as forest by the Sawant and Karapurkar committee and marked as no-development zone in the regional plan 2021. It has a slope gradient of 45 degrees. This falls in survey number 72 and permission from forest has been obtained for 12.90 hectare. It is within 5 kilometres from the Netravali wildlife sanctuary and 1.5 kilometres from the Salaulim reservoir. I went to our MLA Vasudev Gaonkar several times. But he has nothing to say,” says Velip.

Velip, described by many in the group as a “walking encyclopedia” of mining activity in Sanguem also states the name of the lease holder, but there is no signboard here and the name cannot be verified.

Velip further describes an incident where in another mining illegality, the Collamb farmers complained to the deputy conservator of forests in Margao. “The DCF was angry with us. But he sent the ACF who had tea with the mining people at their site and gave them a nominal fine.”

Further on in Chimmutwadda of Curpem village, the fields are a welcome sight. But beyond the fields and deep within the hills barely 100 metres from the Netravali wildlife sanctuary mining used to flourish until an NGO went to court and stopped it. Velip says that Curpem village alone has 17 mining leases of which only 4 are now operating.

With their vehicles crawling on a forest dirt track for what seems an eternity, the group has to finally stop. A 10-minute trek in the jungle brings the group to a large mining dump abandoned years ago. The group is told that the slurry and rejects from the nearby beneficiation plant was dumped here to form this hillock. One day, the heap collapsed burying a worker and a truck inside. The real shock sinks in when the group is told that this is inside the Netravalli wildlife sanctuary. Only after an NGO went to the Supreme Court, the dumping here was stopped.

All is quiet now at the huge mining-related plant in nearby Tudou village. The signboard at the gate announces this belongs to Chowgule and company private limited. The security men at the gate are visibly upset at the group’s arrival and forbid their entry past the barrier that blocks the road to the mines inside.

This is the site that hogged the news three days ago. The Supreme Court reportedly sealed this mine some years back. But the recent surge in demand rekindled interest in the dump of low grade ore inside. Deelip Hegde of the GXE says that despite the Supreme Court order, 400 truckloads of the ore were illegally taken out of this mine since April 12, 2010. When the GXE and other activists complained, the administration was reluctant to act, Hegde said.

The expedition drives past the towns of Curchorem, Sanvordem and Tisk-Usgao, all awash in red mining dust. One could easily believe that this area has the largest concentration of mining trucks in the world. Mercifully, it being a Sunday, the trucks are parked all along the roads and everywhere the eye can see. Past the green-turned-red hills of Pale, Velguem and other villages, the group is finally shown the mining activity on the range of hills from Mulgao to Shirgao.

When asked if these mines are legal, Ramesh Gawas shoots back. “All mines in Goa are illegal. They have all the papers. But do they follow the mandatory requirements in the papers? The environmental clearance states that the mining dump should not be more then 30 metres high. It also specifies the gradient. But not a single regulation is honoured. Also, the impact assessment studies of the mining companies submitted to the ministry of environment and forests state that there are no natural water sources in the area. Actually, there are six natural water sources here,” says Gawas.

GXE, GOAMAP and the others are planning more such expeditions for college students and other citizens to raise awareness on the dangers of over-mining and to force the government to take remedial measures.

Originally published in Times of India, Panjim on 20 April 2010.

Diary of Mineral Ore robbing in Bati, Sanguem

Diary entries by Gaurav Shirodkar

Date: 15/04/2010

Since the last four days trucks are taking ore from a supposed closed down mine in the Bhati area in Sangem, Survey no 11/0 & 24/0 at a rate of more than 12 trucks/hour. The Area lies to the left when one goes from Ugem to Bati, a closed down beneficiation plant can be seen and just ahead you come across the forest gate. The Trucks are coming from the road just after the gate on the left. There is a forest check post and various signs that publish that it’s a forest area. There is the forest plantation and Nursery on the same road between Ugem and the forest gate.

There are at least three exits from the mine which open on the road which then join the Ugem-Batti road near the Forest gate. Heavy activity was seen and the all the dug ore is scraped and filled in the trucks and been transported.

On April 15, 2010, when the survey was done in the area by Terence and me, minor accident had taken place on the road by the Mining truck and a fight had taken place near the temple behind which is Primary School of that area.
The trucks later merge with the Trucks coming from the Timblo mine near the Ugem junction and go to Sangem crossing the Sangem Police station.

Complaint Letters regarding the activity are been given to DCF South Goa (Madgao), Superintendent of Police South Goa (Madgao), Dy. Superintendent of Police South Goa (Quepem), Police Inspector (Sangem), through Goichya Xhetkaranchi Ekvot. No action has been taken yet. The Group Will now meet Secretay of State, Panjim tomorrow.


Date: 16/04/2010

After all the letters to various persons regarding the illegal mine no action is been taken and the trucks continue to ply the ore out of the closed down mine.

10:00 am: Abhijit Prabhudesai, Dilip Hegde, Seby Rodrigues, Hartman de Souza, Delan Dcosta, Durgadas Gaonkar & me reached the office of the chief secretary at Vidhan Sabha complex, Panjim. The Chief Secretary was busy with various meetings and we were told that he will be available only after 3:00 pm.

11:25 pm: One Meeting ends and waking out of the cabin was Allen De Sa (Superintendent of police, South Goa). Abhijit and Dilip confronted him and asked him about the Issue and the Letter that was submitted at his office the previous day i.e. 15/04/2010. The immediate reply was that he didn’t know about the case as he has not received the letter in his hand, as he was busy with the meetings, and that he would go through it today and take necessary action. He left.

11:30 am: After a long incubation and repeated urges we were sent to R. Yaduvanshi.
(Secretary of Mines, Forest and Water)

11:45 am: We enter the cabin of R. Yaduvanshi, and put forth the issue and ask for an action to be taken immediately. Hartman with his theatreic vocals added a stern and urgent notice to it.

After detailed discussion, proofs shown on paper and online through Google Earth, action was taken with the Draft letter (From Goenchea Xhetkarancho Ekvot) with instruction to the Director of Mine was handed over to us in a sealed envelop, and the meeting was fixed with the Director of Mines at his office at 3:00 pm.

Mr Lolienkar (Director of mines) was not in the office, we rushed into the office when he arrived. Dilip took the initiative and blasted on the Director and Abhijit with his Ground Knowledge finally forced to take action immediately. A team was prepared to go and inspect the site led by Mr. Shirgaokar, and to seize and seal if thing pertaining to the Ore robbery is found evident.

I accompanied the team to the site while the others prepared for a press conference.

One of the members of the team had left ahead (I don’t know the reason) and he met us at Savordem at the junction which goes further to Sanguem. He parked his car on a road ahead and accompanied us in the car. He asked me a few questions on how we came to know and other things. Just when we reached Sanguem, black rainy clouds gathered and the weather changed. We met the other car which was waiting for us near Sanguem Police station. This was the part of the team.

We all headed towards Ugem, followed by the Sumo (the other members of the team). When the Ugem-Bhati road was in sight I alerted the officers by showing them the trucks coming from the Bhati side on the Ugem road. The officers just kept quiet and did nothing to stop the trucks or even inquire why they were coming from that road when there are no mines (Legal/Active). When repeatedly told about the trucks the Officers told me those were empty trucks and were of no use to be caught, and when showed one of the loaded trucks no reply, and mute atmosphere was observed by the Officers (on which they are perfectly trained)

The were on the Ugem-Bhati road and the Storm broke, we could see a huge cloud of dust rising from the Mines and carried up by the Twister like movement of the air. Our car rattled as we moved towards the Forest Gate. The trucks still continued to pass us and me still continuing to get the officers attention on those.

About 16 trucks (3-4 loaded others Empty) passed us till we reached the Forest post, we reached the junction and some trucks were parked along the road. As we took left after the Forest Check post, we could see the Trucks standing on the side of the road, as we took a halt near the first truck all officers suddenly came out of their Mute Role and went into action, clicking photos of the number plate and others. One empty truck which was approaching from the mine side was stoped and was asked to be parked (the truck left after sometime).

I was told to wait back, while the team went ahead in sumo, stating that there might be complications ahead. I waited it started raining, we (The driver, Assistant, and me) took towards the mine, as we reached towards the mine road the officers who went ahead called (this is after 15-20 minutes after they had gone). We entered and crossed the gate and at the end of the road in the mine the sumo waited near a ripper dozer (which we reached in about 5 min) below a building. (the point to be noted is what were they doing for the other 15 min)

The site which was excavated was about 20 mtrs from where the dozer was parked. (the outside of the dozer was still hot and seamed it had stopped working just some time ago) i.e. the information had already been provided/leaked to vacate the mine.

Panchnama was done by the officials and the Dozer sealed. The Manager was taken for interrogation who confessed being the employee of chowgule mining company and they had started the work on the 12^th of April and had dispersed about 400 odd trucks of the mine with the ore dump. The register was also taken from the security. Sample of the soil was collected for analysis.

Agricultural land grab in Goa under the garb of public pupose

The farmers of Goa under the banner of Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott in order to highlight the plight of farming community in Goa and as a part of its agitation decided in its first meeting held on 2nd October 2009 at Lohia Maidan Margao had a demonstration at Quepem Municipal Garden on Sunday, February 21, 2010.

That around 100 farmers from different parts of Goa participated in the day long agitation. The farmers also had photo exhibition

Speaking to reporters Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott president Deelip Hegde stated that the main purpose of the agitation is to reach to farmers of different part of Goa . He further stated that today, the Goa Government under the garb of public purpose rampantly acquiring prime agricultural land. The acquisition of agricultural land is going on in violation of central policy on agriculture which states that no agriculture land should be acquired unless there is an emergency to do so. The farmers of Goa will unite to fight these injustices.

He further stated that our MLA and ministers who are all way out to sell Goa for their selfish gain have became agents of Mining Companies and Real Estates. In the future all farmers will united fight against the government against the injustice that is being done to them. Such a demonstration will be held in different parts of Goa.

Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott Secretary Paul Fernandes stated that today government shout that people are keeping their land barren but the same government does not bother to find out the reason. He stated that most of the land in Salcete which are kept barren is due to stray cattle, the irrigation facility which is provided at the cost of cores of rupees goes in vain if stray cattle problem is solved then the farmers will cultivate their respective land. He further stated that the government is seen doing nothing to implement the Agricultural Tenancy Act which show how little the government is concerned about the farming community.

At the Dharna farmers of different villages shared their views with farmers of other villages.

John Fernandes

Goa farmers protest, stage one day fast in Quepem

Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) held a day long fast on 21 February 2010 at the Municipal garden, Quepem to protest against the relentless atrocities being committed by the State against the farmers, poorer sections of the society and the future generations. GXE aims to protect and conserve agricultural lands, water resources and forests of Goa, which belong not to us but to our children, from the greed and ignorance of the few.

The event was attended by villagers from 22 villages and towns from Quepem, Sanguem and Salcete talukas. The day long deliberations were focused on local and national consequences of various State initiatives being forced upon unwilling citizens, and the alternatives available with the citizens to force the State to review and revise its anti-development policies, so that the long overdue corrections are immediately adopted. In particular, the villagers expressed anger and frustration at the arbitrary acquisitions of paddy fields, especially tenanted lands, destruction of natural water resources, complete failure of the State to honour its promise to provide 90% of the water from Selaulim Dam for irrigation, increasing illegal mining and the failure of the State to respect The National Policy for Farmers 2007 and The National Forest Policy.

Villagers from Morpilla, Colomba, Rivona and Maina demanded that no new mining leases or renewals be allowed anywhere in the State, since the Chief Minister seems to have forgotten his promise to rid us of illegal mining. Satellite images were displayed to reveal how easy it is for even a schoolboy to locate illegal mining in the State. All the villagers were unanimous in condemning the forest and police departments for openly defending mining in forest lands, and for attacking the concerned citizens who are trying to protect the forests. Villagers affected by a spate of new 4-lane roads in the hinterland, which are being promoted by the State for the exclusive use of mining traffic, pointed out that these roads would destroy a number of pristine villages, forests and water bodies which are not yet affected by mining.

All the villagers were unanimous that the complete failure of the Selaulim Irrigation Project, the apathy shown by the State towards farmers and the failure of beneficial legislations such as the Tenancy Act and the Command Area Development Act are responsible for the dismal state of affairs in the State. Villagers from Paroda, Assolda, Ambaulim, Deao, Chinchinim and St. Jose De Areal shared their experiences and hopes with regards agricultural failure and revival. The proximity between the health of the agricultural sector, the health of the environment, removal of social inequities and the survival of future generations was studied.

The meeting concluded with all expressing renewed commitment towards facing the social and environmental challenges lying ahead. It was resolved that in view of the refusal of the State to heed to reason, GXE shall redouble its efforts and increase the pressure on the State to relent, accept the reality and to embrace the changes that are essential for the survival of Goa and Goans.

Farmers protest fast in Quepem on February 21

The Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) strongly condemns the refusal of the State Government to correct the present disastrous policies, and in particular, its failure to stop the acquisition of agricultural lands. We reiterate our demands that acquisitions of agricultural lands be stopped immediately; agricultural lands be reverted to agriculture use, and to stop indiscriminate conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural use.

The Government has failed to respond to numerous representations and public demonstrations, including the unanimous demand made by thousands of farmers at Lohia Maidan on 2nd August 2009 that acquisitions of agricultural lands be stopped immediately. Instead, the Government has blindly continued with the anti-Indian policy of the British Raj, sixty two years after Independence, which is especially devastating in the instance of our tiny and highly sensitive motherland, Goa.

The ongoing destruction of Goa is caused due to the flawed policies of the Government. For example, the sports policy of the State is being grossly misused to construct sports grounds by filling up fertile paddy fields, often using fraud, undue influence and coercion, without any application of mind, and by trampling on the helpless farmers' fundamental rights. GXE demands that the Government immediately stop all the ongoing acquisitions and restore agricultural to its rightful place, as the greatest of all public purposes in times of peace. It must also revert all acquired lands which are not yet destroyed back to the farmers and to the generations yet to come, who form the silent and invisible majority of our nation.

Since the Government is deliberately ignoring our just and essential demands stated above, we continue our State-wide peaceful struggle at the Quepem Municipal Square (garden ), Quepem on 21st February 2010 from 0900 hrs to 1600 hrs, where we shall continue to spread awareness and build solidarity in order to achieve our goals.

GXE calls upon all farmers, individuals, organizations and bodies from Quepem and other talukas to attend this day long peaceful protest on 21st February 2010, and to express solidarity with any form of expression or participation in our struggle.