Public Interest: Scrap exclusive mining roads in Panchwadi

On 30th August 2010 Panchwadi villagers along with Fr Rodrigues met the Minister of Environment Mr Alexio Sequeira at his Raia residence at 9.30 am in the morning regarding construction of mining road through their village.

The villagers enlightened the minister of the ill effects and other problems of dust pollution, heavy traffic in their small village etc. The minister gave them a patient hearing and showed support and offered to help the villagers by stopping the construction of the mining road meant for sesa goa a mining company, but however did not give a concrete promise that the road will be scrapped.

The villagers were happy with the meeting as the minister understood their problem and offered whatever help he can.

This acquisition of 40 hectares of mangrove forest will destroy the ecosensitive area, mangrove are to be protected but with this acquisition everything will be destroyed.
Sesa Goa had purchased 30 hectares of mangrove forest for mining road and dumping of ore, but since this area was tenented they could not construct the road, but now they want the Goa Govt to buy their 30 hectares and another 10 hectares from other owners to construct mining road and loading and unloading of iron ore an the banks of river zuari.

The Sawant and Karapurkar commitee and TERI report conforms the existance of mangrove forest in this area. If road is constructed the Moisal dam which supplies water to the whole village and surrounding areas will get polluted and the whole village will be affected.

Goa Government is acquiring 40 hectares to construct road for public purpose is an eye wash as only Sesa Goa will be using this road, the Government is wrong by claiming the project as public purpose.more than 1500 schedule tribe and 100 schedule caste population will get badly affected with this mining road of Sesa Goa.

It is in public interest that this exclusive road for mining be scrapped.

Police complaint lodged on Naroa, Bicholim Mangrove cutting

Naroa Panchayat Sarpanch Laxman Malvankar has filed a police case against the rampant environmental destruction caused by construction of Port facility for the purpuse of handling of iron ore and coal cargo including ship building. It is being done by Sea Scan Services Private Limited which is a business venture of Shreepati Group based in Mumbai. The group also has detail plans to set up Sea Scan water ballast management in Goa though exact venue is not listed on its website. In Verna, Goa is is planning to set up Sea Scan University. It is a common sense that this is going to be affecting Goa's ecology in a major way. Perhapst this is the way to a daring dream in Goa and write history of ecocide of Goa that includes disaster to Chorao and Divar Islands, and to evolve - as is musically projected on website of the corporate. Here are details of the group for contacting. Please contact them and lodge your protest in strongest possible words.

Shreepati Group401/501/601 Shreepati Arcade, August Kranti Marg, Mumbai-400036 Telephone: 91-22-2380 4890, 91-22-2381 0489Telefax: 91-22-2389 5423
E-mail: sales@shreepatigroup.in Website: http://www.shreepatigroup.in/

The location strategy is clearly benefits british Vedanta who owns Sesa Goa as well as Dempo mining company.

Here is a text of the letter to Police Inspector at Bicholim Police Station dated 14th May 2010:

To,
The PI
Bicholim Police Station,
Bicholim.

Subject: Massive destruction of mangroves in eco-sensitive zone - I, massive destruction of reserved forest for the purpose of illegal approach road and illegal anchoring of boats on river Mandovi at Tottewada, Naroa, Bicholim Taluka.

Dear Sir,

I, the undersigned, would like to bring to your notice of the above mentioned fact.

It is given to understand that one Captain Mehta is building a dry dock and for that purpose he has carried out destruction of a very huge stretch of mangroves/ trees/ hill-cutting which is beyond repair. He has also anchored 7 boats illegally on the river front, thus threatening the shoreline of Tottewada.

I register my complaint before this office and expect prompt legal action at the earliest and call for a compliance report.

Yours Sincerely,
Sd/-
Laxman Malvankar
Sarpanch, Narve Panchayat
CC to -
B.D.O Bicholim
North Goa Collector
Department of Mines
Department of Forest (Conservator of Forest, North Goa)
PWD
Chief Secretary
Chief Minister

Mangoves destruction in Panchwadi, Ponda

The first picture is of clothes and sleepers of those who were cutting these Mangroves in Panchwadi, Ponda when the villagers and Forest Department raided the spot. The culprits ran away leaving these belongings on the spot on July 14, 2010.

The pieces of cut mangroves left behind by the culprits has been taken in possession by Forest department.

The remaining pictures are of mangroves destruction caused by these culprits at the instance of Sesa Goa mining company owned by Vedanta.

Panchwadi Mangroves that Vedanta is attepting to cut

These are dense Mangroves in Panchwadi, Ponda, Goa that Vedanta owned Sesa Goa mining company is attempting to cut down and construct loading point for iron ore. Cutting down of Mangroves are banned as per Indian law. Company influenced scientist Arvind Untawale, former director of National Institute of Oceanography to write a report that Mangroves does not exist here!