Tribes protest Panchwadi Sesa Goa mining road project

The ST community of Panchwadi along with other residents held a meeting today morning at Mallar near vizar matt. The strong gathering was determined to stop the destruction of their pristine village by the govt and a mining company.

The meeting started with numerous speakers waiting to express their grievances and advice. Mr Cristev said that there exists a pathway, bullock cart track passing through survey nos 167,166,165,161,163,159,158,154,157 of village Panchwadi which these ST community are using to take their cattle for grazing, cashew plantation and for Kumeri cultivation.

The Goa government through the PWD is acquiring this road in the name of public purpose and handing out to Sesa Goa mining company for construction of mining road which will help the mining giant own a road private road from their mines to a jetty . This road is passing through the pristine village of Panchwadi and close to Moisal dam. The road which is illegal as there is no public purpose in it will destroy the ST community , pollute the Moisal dam which serves water to a large area beyond Panchwadi.

The dust and noise pollution which will arise due to this road will give innumerous trouble to entire panchwadi village and will even affect their health like the residents of Sanvorden and Quepem who suffer from tuberculosis and other diseases specially lung related.

The ST community and other villagers have decided to oppose any project that will destroy the environment of their village and will not hesitate to come on the road.

The people have earlier complained to all concern authorities but were all deaf with greasing palms.

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.

Text of Panchawadi objections to exclusive road for Vedanta mining

A detailed note substantiating objection to proposed mining roads & other allied mining activities by M/s Sesa Goa Ltd., Vedanta Group at Village-Panchawadi, Taluka-Ponda, State of Goa

We put before you the following facts for revival of the studies & plans in connection with the mining roads & other allied activities at Panchawadi:

1. Year 1981: House Committee set up by Government of Goa (GoG) to shift Curchorem Railway yards under the chairmanship of Shri. Vaikunth Desai the then Dy Speaker proves that the age old problem of dust & noise pollution is prevailing for last three decades.
(GoG till date miserably failed to take any concrete steps to eliminate or at least curtail the same and give justice to its citizens.)

2. Year 1989: Damodar Mangalji & Co. purchased about 56 hectares of wet land at Panchawadi. However they failed to waive off the tenancy rights of the cultivators. Subsequently these wet lands are taken over by Sesa Goa at a later stage.

3. Year 1990: Inspection report by a Committee set up by GoG led by Shri. Jaykrishnan the then Chief Secretary also studied the dust pollution problem.

4. Year 1991: Proposal of GoG regarding mining roads trough Panchawadi village was unanimously opposed by the Gramsabha.

5. Year 1993: Sesa Goa proposal of Bunder Project at Vizar-Khazan-Panchawadi and mining road from Codli to Panchawadi via Camarconda-Vagona-Amblai-Panchawadi was scrapped by the then Chief Minister (CM) Dr. Wilfred D’Souza by visiting Panchawadi village. In the capacity of CM he assured in presence of the then Father of St. Anthony’s Church of Panchawadi that no mining related projects will come in the green zone of Panchawadi. The villagers have witnessed the incident.

6. Year 1994: House Committee set by GoG under the Chairmanship of Adv. Mr. Domnick Fernandes the then Law Minister & Curchorem MLA proposed three stage recommendations. However these final recommendations didn’t include any individual road for Sesa Goa from Codli-Camarconda-Moisal-Panchawadi. Though the annexure to report of various meetings include one road from Costi-Bandol-Panchawadi for Sesa Goa the same is also not recommended. The recommended bypass road is from Uguem-Guddemol-Gandhinagar-Capxem which will be used by all mining companies.

7. Year 1997: TERI official study report advised road diversion from existing Codli-Curchorem road in Santona Village & the diversion to pass from Bandoli & Moisal villages & join further to Capxem bypass for exclusive use for Codli ore transport. Apart from this TERI recorded existence of dense Mangrove forests on 56 Hectares land identified for Bunder project at Panchawadi. “The original land under wet land agriculture over 5 years, been colonized by dense Mangroves.” (In other words Mangroves been colonised since 1992 & are now 18year old trees)

8. Year 1999: Among other Writ Petitions (WP) filed in the Hon. High Court on dust & noise pollution due to mining & allied activities Goa Foundation filed similar WP No123/1999 demanding closure of Curchorem Railway Yard. Chief Justice Mr. Sabharwal & Justice Mr. Bhatta passed an interim ORDER directing Chief Secretary (CS) GoG to file report after studying various Committee Reports. Accordingly CS filed the report in 2000 maintaining the recommendations of Domnic Committee except shifting of Railway Yard to Dukorkond, which he recommended to Xelvona. Other WP pending before the Hon High Court are as follows:
(a) WP 76/2002 pertains to Digashi-Panchawadi,
(b) WP 50/2006 regarding Sanvordem,
(c) WP 323/2006 is against shifting railway yard to Xelvona,
(d) WP 617/2006 pertains to Curchorem,

9. Year 2003: Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) approved Panchawadi Bunder Project of M/s Sesa Goa Ltd. Vide its letter Ref No.GCZMA/N/193/301 dated 9.1.2003. (Now lapsed since 5 years have passed, also the EIA is invalid)

10. Year 2006: Agreement between GoG & M/s Sesa Goa Ltd. is signed. Sect.4 under Land Acquisition Act (LA Act) was notified by Govt. of Goa which was objected by Dy. Conservator of Forests North Goa Division along with Villagers of Panchawadi under section 5A of the LA Act. Unanimous Gramsabha resolutions since 1991 of Village Panchayat Panchawadi are on record opposing the said project/proposal & acquisition. The Church & the Devasthans from Panchawadi have also written to the Governor of Goa against the project & mining roads.

11. GoG is acquiring around 1 lakh square meters of area for road and another 3 lakh square meters of land is being acquired from Panchawadi Village for a private Bunder project of Sesa Goa at Vizar-Khazan-Panchawadi 2.5Kms. downstream Zuari river towards Shiroda away from the existing loading jetties at Digashi-Panchawadi. Residents of Village Panchawadi are not taken in confidence till date & their lands are acquired. The acquisition is under the guise of public purpose. The correspondence & other records itself prove that it is a private project of Sesa Goa. The same cannot be acquired under Chapter II of the LA Act. Even if the GoG wants to acquire under Chapter VII of LA Act for a company (which actually cannot be done as it is for a private project) it will have to take a public hearing under Section 40 of LA Act in the Village. The Village Gramsabha is on record of unanimously opposing the said project since 1991.

12. Though the GoG tried to hush up the land acquisition proceedings land owners and tenants/cultivators have refused to accept the notices served under section 12 & 16 of LA Act. In the past Land Acquisition Officer had to leave the Village Panchayat office & run way within ten minutes during her visit to Panchawadi due to the stiff opposition of villagers to the said acquisition.

13. On perusal of the reports of various Committees & the studies it appears that the reports are based on wrong footings, which need revival. We are relying on reports of 1997 & prior to that, which are time barred now. The root cause of dust & noise pollution is the Curchorem Railway yard. The studies since 1981 are all focusing on the inability of MPT to take care of rail borne ore. The question of shifting Curchorem Railway Yard is not the issue now as MPT is developing rail borne ore handling terminal East of Breakwater at Vasco & is designed to handle 12 million tonnes ore. Automatically the rakes will be taken to MPT & Curchorem yard will be closed. As recommended by CS in his Report to Hon High Court even if the Curchorem Railway yard is to be shifted, it will be shifted to Shelvona to handle 10 million tonnes ore where river-rail interface will take care of pollution problem eliminating trucks. This will free truck transport of Karnataka ore on Goan public roads & bypasses to the tune of 22 million tonnes, which is about 50% of the Export through Goa last year. Now the bypasses should be designed only for Goan Ore.

14. It is admitted fact by the mining companies & GoG in various Public Interest Litigations in the Hon High Court that truck transport is the main source of dust pollution. Hence though Sesa Goa claims no demolition of houses and skirting the settlements, the road passes through the settlements, ultimately truck transport will affect the settlements & surroundings in the vicinity. Studies confirm that the mining dust affects vegetation and life in an area of 5Kms radius.

15. Domnic Committee report suggests construction of parallel bridge at Sanvordem & a bridge at Xelvona on river Zuari, shifting of railway yard, parallel road to existing road from Uguem-Costi-Guddemol-Gandhinagar-Capxem in the second & third stage recommendations. However there is neither any road proposed from Codli to Digashi-Panchawadi via Camarcond-Moisal nor any proposal like Sesa’s. Bypass suggested finally ends at Capxem/Xelvona/Digashi-Panchawadi and no bypass ends at Vizar-Khazan-Muxer-Novebhat-Panchawadi i.e. at the centre of Panchawadi village which has a public road from Shiroda to Sanvordem of about 7kms length. In the vicinity of the area where the project is proposed there are about 2500 residents, out of which 1500 are from scheduled tribe community dependent on paddy & cashew cultivation.

16. The report also suggests Construction of roads along or parallel to river Zuari from Capxem to Panchawadi. However these areas along the river are affected by backwaters of river Zuari. Hence in view of dense Mangrove forests identified along river Zuari at Panchawadi by TERI, Sawant & Karapurkar Committee reports CRZ clearance cannot be given to such a private project / Panchawadi Bunder Project & mining road.

17. Also it may kindly be noted that the GoG miserably failed even to implement temporary measures as first stage recommendations forget about reaching to second & third stage recommendations. Whatever is implemented as of now is only on the directives of Hon High Court that too after filing various Public Interest Litigations (PIL) by the citizens. Except construction of parallel road at Sanvordem by the then Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar, that too in record time, no other recommendation is implemented by the GoG. The PIL filed by the residents of Curchorem with the help of NGO’s in 1999 is still pending in the Hon High Court even after a decade. GoG has no concrete plans to shift the railway yard from Curchorem.

18. Though Sesa Goa claims that the road alignment skirts the settlement areas, it is not true. The fact is that habitation at Panchawadi is scattered throughout the village and the dust generated due to truck transportation and loading & unloading of iron ore & other minerals at Panchawadi will definitely affect the habitation & vegetation within 100meters to 5000meters. Studies have proved & various committees are on record that the mineral dust generated affects 5Kms radius in the surroundings. Along the 11Kms road (Codli to Panchawadi) @ 5Km radius entire vegetation, Moisal dam & habitation will be affected due to dust pollution. The proposed roadside green barrier comprising of tall trees in no way will be able to cover & control dust along 11Kms road & Bunder project at Panchawadi.

19. Proposed road from Codli to Bunder Project at Panchawadi passes through Codli, Camarcond, Moisal & Panchawadi. And to our great surprise the proposed road area from Codli-Camarcond-Moisal is dropped by GoG and the road is only in Panchawadi village. This proves the back door entry of Sesa Goa to acquire land only from Panchawadi with the sole purpose of waiving off the Tenancy Rights in the 35 hectares land already purchased by Sesa Goa Ltd.

20. When the road from Codli to Panchawadi border is dropped, how ore from Codli mine of Sesa Goa will come to Panchawadi? This it self is a million dollar question. This project is a mirage shown to the Hon High Court by GoG & Sesa Goa at the cost of green zone of Panchawadi.

21. Private vehicles other then mining have got no business to do on this proposed road as this road starts from Codli mine of Sesa Goa and ends at the proposed Bunder on the banks of River Zuari. Presently there are various ways to reach Panchawadi from Codli via Dharbandora, Dabal, Shiroda, Camarconda, Moisal & Sanvordem. This road will be only solution to commit suicide as the road ends on the bank of river Zuari. The capacity of this 7 meter wide tar road with bituminous carpet as per agreement will not be sufficient for Sesa Goa’s own traffic which is 20 million tonnes in 2010 & planned further to increase 5times of the same in years to come, forget charging cess from other companies.

22. During the RP20-21 Gramsabha it was unanimously resolved to scrap Sesa Goa mining road in the RP20-21. Accordingly Panchayat has written to the Authority to scrap the road.

23. Panchawadi is in the Green Zone & there is no question of any mining activity or any other industrial activity coming in the village. Panchawadi is a unique village in the entire State of Goa, as it is endowed with about 100 Has of Mangrove forests and khazans, 200 Has of Command area served by a dedicated dam at Moissal, large forests, unending cashew plantations, vast paddy fields & innumerable high yielding coconut plantations. There is no doubt that this village is among the greenest villages in the entire State, which by itself should be enough reason not to allow its destruction. There is no doubt that the mining company's intentions are not only against the interests of the villagers, but are also extremely dangerous to the ecological balance of the entire State.

24. Apart from irrigation the water from Moisal dam is also used for domestic use (drinking) in Village Panchawadi. Presently there are complains from public regarding purification. The mining roads (a) Codli to Panchawadi for Sesa Goa & (b) Uguem-Guddemol-Capxem Bypass passing by the side of Moisal Dam will deteriorate the situation. CRZ regulations are applicable to the Bunder & Jetty points. Also the roads pass through the reserved forests. In view of this Environmental clearance cannot be given to such a Bunder project & mining roads.

25. People learn out of experiences & by visualizing the happenings in their surroundings. The menace of dust & noise pollution due to mining & allied activities is roaring all over Goa & the leading dailies are highlighting the same. The health hazards, accidents, traffic jams & destruction of environment & ecology are only endangering the life of residents in the vicinity. Panchawadi will not be excluded in the near future to come.

26. The villagers of Panchawadi therefore reiterate their demand that the proposed mining activities in Panchawadi be completely dropped, and also declare that under no circumstances shall we allow the nefarious plans of the mining company to succeed. We also advise officials, politicians, reporters and others to accept the reality that we shall never allow this ill-conceived project to materialize.

27. If GoG really interested to know the factual position let GoG officers meet the prominent people, not the politicians or those influenced by politicians, the highly educated & qualified residents, the hard workers, the dependents on the paddy cultivation, fishing & other agriculture, the land owners, the Church, the Devasthans and in particular the Poor people. Take the opinion poll of each household of affected area.

28. We suggest GoG to revive the plans; meet the residents in the vicinity & other commuters on these roads, the land owners, tenants, caretakers & other interested parties whose lands are being acquired by GoG in the name of public purpose. The Constitutional Rights given to its Citizens by Indian Constitution have no meaning in this world. Residents of Panchawadi, the Church & the Devasthans pray god to save life of residents of Panchawadi, Sanvordem, Curchorem & surroundings from these ill conceived plans of Sesa Goa.

Churchill arrogance showered on Panchawdi residents

1. On 16/8/2010 a delegation of Panchawadi Bachao Samiti along with Father Lawrence Rodrigues of St. Anthony’s Church Amblai-Panchawadi met Mr Churchil Alemao Minister for PWD to oppose the 40 hectare Land Acquisition done at Panchawadi by Govt of Goa under an agreement by PWD with M/s Sesa Goa Ltd for Mining Road from Codli to Panchawadi & Loading Bunder at Vizar-Khazan Panchawadi.

2. The request of Panchawadi Bachao Samiti to drop the project since it will adversely affect the ecology & environment & the village as such is not considered by Mr. Churchil.

3. This Land Acquisition is not in public interest & it is for the private benefit of Sesa Goa. However Mr. Churchil supports the project & informed that this is the policy decision of Govt of Goa to allow projects without involvement of public funds. There is no value for Mangroves, paddy fields, environment & ecology. The environment Protection Act, the CRZ have no meaning. Only if any house is affected (i.e. if any house is demolished) due this project then only he will not allow the project. According to him settlements / habitation affected by dust and other environmental pollution have no say. This project is to avoid pollution in some other area & therefore Panchawadi residents will have to suffer pollution. Mining gives service & 2000 truck owners in other areas in the mining industry will survive at the cost of 5000 residents of Panchawadi. The paddy fields & other plantations apart from ecology & environment will be affected by this acquisition. However the truck owners will survive on mining dust & not on bread & butter.

4. PBS’s request to visit the site & judge was out rightly bypassed by the Minister on the grounds that he doesn’t have time. It is well known to the villagers of Panchawadi that politicians have ample time while canvassing for elections & attending opening ceremonies & others private functions of their party workers. They will visit Panchawadi during elections & voters will reward them at that time.

5. According to him oppose to the project since two decades through Gramsabhas have no meaning & the elected body & the Sarpanch is supreme at Panchayat.

6. It appears from the above that we are not in the Democratic country & this is nothing less than Dictatorship or Monarchy. What is the significance of Independence Day Celebration? Is it a million dollar question?

Panchwadi people files objections to land acquisition for mining roads

Few days ago on July 30 2010 people from Panchwadi filed objections to the land acquisition notice to build road for mining purpose.

Special roads for mining are designed to be constructed to make fast profits for the handful of mining companies that includes merchants from Goa and one British company Vedanta that owns Sesa Goa and Dempo mining companies assets. Vendanta is known for its bad environmental records and perhaps that's why Dempos found a business sense in selling its mining assets to Vedanta. So much Dempos love for Goa! To sell Goa, to loot Goa, to exploit Goa, to make crores of rupees at the cost of Goa's soil and then to indulge in grand acts of philanthropy to keep itself amongst Goa's ruling elites. Other mining companies are no different they are all the birds of same feathers that flock together.

People of Panchwadi deserves to be congratulated for unitedly filing over 600 objections second time during the last few months. Earlier too government had issued land acquisition notice and people of Panchwadi had filed large number of objections. Then government suddenly changed its position and issued another land acquisition notice that over ruling the first one with slight modifications. Perhaps government was testing the patience of the protesting villagers!

Sebastian Rodrigues

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.

GOAMAP condemns mineral loot of Goa via Panchwadi

Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) strongly condemns forceful, illegal cutting down of Mangroves and physical assault on the four people in Panchwadi yesterday to benefit Sesa Goa mining company.

Yesterday Panchwadi villagers along with the Forest department physically stopped mangroves cutting carried on by few people to benefit Vedanta owned Sesa Goa in their plans to construct ore loading point. In this process four people – Costao Fernandes, Derek D’Costa, Nazareth Goadinho and Classey Costa - were assaulted one of whom - Derek D’Costa - suffered injuries and had to be hospitalized.

GOAMAP is happy that police at Ponda Police station has arrested some the culprits and demand that remaining once in hiding be also traced and booked as per law.

GOAMAP urges Vedanta mining company not to indulge in violence henceforth as it is not going to serve the purpuse of frightening and demoralizing people resisting mining industry.

GOAMAP also condemns scientist Arvind G. Untawale, former director of National Institute of Oceonagraphy, Dona Paula who has prepared report for Goa Governemnt declaring that there are no mangroves in Pachwadi to benefit Sesa Goa mining company. GOAMAP advises Dr. Untawale and other scientists not to indulge in unethical practices to favour mining industry.

GOAMAP further condemns Goa Government for twice issuing land acquisition notice for 34 meter wide mining road through forest in Panchwadi. GOAMAP is convinced that Goa Government is merely facilitator of mining plunder of Goa and hence must be thrown out. GOAMAP also condemns Goa’s opposition leader Manohar Parrikar for advocating mining by-pass to facilitate Goa’s mineral loot.

Ponda Police begins arrest of vedanta goons

Crowd has dispersed from the main road in Panchwadi after Ponda police assured them that the goons responsible for attempting to cut down the forest will be be arrested immediately. Panchwadi people has now gone to the Ponda police station to further force the police to arrest the goons.

In the scuffle that unfolded on the site four villagers from Panchwadi were beaten up by the goons. The four villagers includes Costao Fernandes who is admitted in government hospital in Margao with injuries, Derek D'Costa, Nazareth Godhinho and Classey Costa. The fifth one Cristev D'Costa who was also chased by goons jumped into Zuari river and swam across to escape unhurt.

According to the latest available information Ponda police has caught one Shamir D'Costa and processing his arrests. Others who were involved in the assault on villagers includes Agustine D'Costa, Cyril D'Costa, Lorik D'Costa, Johnson D'Costa and Maria D'costa. Except Maria D'costa everyone is absconding from the village.

In the meanwhile just received information from Rajendra Kakodkar, a member of Mangroves Society of India, the scientist who is responsible to give a report to the government that there are no Mangroves existing in Panchwadi - Dr. Arvind G. Untawale, former Director of National Institute of Oceonagraphy, Dona Paula, Goa - is also the executive secretary of Mangroves Society of India, and a member of Japan based organization - International Society for Mangrove Ecosystem (ISME) and is duty bound to protect Mangrove Ecosystems. It is a tragedy that he cannot even see Mangroves in places that are strategically important to mining industry. He deserved to be condemned in strongest possible words. Surely time is ripe for it now.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Vedanta deploys goons to cut mangrove forest in Panchwadi

Villagers counter goons on site

Police-Villagers out on the streets

Situation tense, road blocked

According to the reports just coming in Vedanta's have deployed goons to cut the fragile mangrove forest on the Zuari river banks to put up the loading point for its company Sesa Goa. Villagers of Panchwadi has challenged the goons on site and forced them to stop deforestation and flee from the site.

Situation has remained tense in the area and police as well as villagers are out on the streets. Villagers are demanding that the mining company's goons responsible for forcible cutting down of mangrove forest be arrested with immediate. Police are yet to effect any arrests of the mining goons so far. Main road stands blocked.

Sesa Goa is tryi9ng to set up loading points for the iron ore for the purpose of loading of ore into barges to ship towards Marmagoa Port to export. Panchwadi Bachao Samiti had already filed its objection to this proposal more than a month ago. Here is a copy of the letter:

PANCHAWADI BACHAO SAMITI

c/o Christev D'Costa (Ex-Sarpanch),

Vizor, Panchawadi,

Ponda Taluka, Goa

Date: 7^th June 2010

To

The Member Secretary,

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority,

Opp. Saligao Seminary, P.O. Saligao,

Bardez, Goa

SUB: Objection to Proposed Riverside Terminal for “stocking/loading” of mineral ore at Panchwadi village, Ponda Taluka by M/S. Sesa Goa Ltd. – Panchwadi Bunder Project (GCZMA/N/193)

REF: (1) Our letter to you dated 2^nd March 2010

Dear Sir,

This is further to our above referred letter, to which we are yet to receive a reply.

We are in possession of documents related to the subject project, which have been collected from your office by Shri Abhijit Prabhudesai under the RTI Act, 2005. Based on these documents and the CRZ Notification, 1991 (as amended till date), the following facts are brought to your attention:

1. That the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority gave clearance to the said project vide letter ref. no. GCZMA/N/193/301 dated 09/01/2003, more than 7 years ago.

2. That section 3., sub-section (2), (ia) of the CRZ Notification, 1991 (as amended till date) states as follows – “The clearance granted shall be valid for a period of 5 years for the commencement of the construction or operation.”

3. That the third paragraph of section 2., sub-section III, (c) of the EIA Notification, 1994 (as amended till date) states as follows – “The clearance granted shall be valid for a period of 5 years for the commencement of the construction or operation of the project.”

4. That no construction or mobilization has commenced for the said project till date.

5. That as per page no. C/36 of the subject file, Shri A. G. Untawale has committed gross and blatant misuse of his powers by falsifying the records of his observations made during the site visit to the Proposed Riverside Terminal, conducted on 11^th and 12^th October 2002. The entire 35 Has. area of the said site is covered with fully grown mangroves of many diverse species, some of which are unique to this region and not found in other parts of Goa, making this area one of the best and most diverse mangrove forests along the Zuari River. However, Mr. Untawale’s report attempts to misguide the State into believing that the mangroves at the site are inconsequential and dispensible. It is further observed that the document has the names of both Dr. Claude Alvares and Mr. A. G. Untawale, yet only Mr. Untawale has signed on it. It is understood from Dr. Claude Alvares that he refused to sign the Site Report prepared by Mr. Untawale for the same reason.

From paragraphs 1 to 4 above it is abundantly clear that the clearance issued by your office for the subject project is no longer valid.

In view of the above, we request you as follows:

1. Kindly respond to our above referred letter at the earliest. In particular, please confirm that the clearance given to the said project vide letter ref. no. GCZMA/N/193/301 dated 09/01/2003, more than 7 years ago, is no longer valid.
2. Immediately take necessary steps to identify all the mangroves along the River Zuari, with prior intimation to us.
3. Any application for CRZ clearances in the village of Panchwadi to be copied to us for our information before being processed.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

Christev D'Costa

President

Political Parties in Goa assembly: consensus to destroy Forest

It is now no longer in a simmering state. Its out in open. It is secret exploded. Goa's forest must be destroyed! And this is not official but consensus amongst all the elected political parties in the Goa Legislative Assembly. It may be officially declared forest or lush green forest that has not officially classified as forest. The four examples shows this trend crystal clear.

The first one. The Thivim Cricket stadium in Bardez. Here it is legally recognized forest. Irrespective of court intervention giving some respite to the forest and thousands of forest trees, it remains one of the colossal political blunders wherein the elected parties has lost all of their wickets on cricket stadium. There is no difference between between ruling and opposition in Goa. No even the gap is cosmetic. In fact each parties irrespective whether they are in ruling or the opposition are in disgusting nexus either covertly or overtly with anti-forest, anti-ecology forces. Cricket in its commercial mode currently in place is merely money spinner. It is not worth that Goa sacrifices its forest for the sake of cricket. Our politicians cannot see beyond their nose for them not to consider the interest of forest. Sometimes I wonder if they have a nose at all. Surely they have eyes and they are hawkish in nature. They detect notes on their radar.

The second example. The Panchwadi exclusive 45 meters road through forest for mining industry. This is perhaps aggression on forest in its most refined manner. Land acquisition law has been invoked. The same law that British formulated in 1890s to further their colonial practice to tame India to succumb to its rule. The road is through dense forest. It is distance of nearly 14 kilometers. I have tracked through this forest along with few other and saw where the boundary stones are placed. Nearby is Maisal dam that supplies water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Sanvordem- Curchorem is already a dust and traffic problem that some people - in including Goa's leader of the opposition Manohar Parrikar as well as Chief Minister Digambar Kamat - claim will be solved with wide road through lush green forest. This claim can be described as most stupid that can come only from the agents of the mining companies. So here again there is consensus that the Western Ghats forest must be destroyed. Goa's political parties in the assembly has launched mission suicide. My complete support to people of Panchwadi who are opposing the exclusive roads for mining.

The third example. The Mopa airport. These are set of four villages whose economies are agrarian. The surroundings are green and forest is visible though it is not classified. Goa already has one airport and for small State like Goa it is fine and centrally located. What is the logic to destroy ecology, displace people and impose airport in Pernem. Problems of Pernem is feudalism that is so typically represented by its landlord Jitendra Prabhu. It cannot be solve with airport. Airport will only create more problems. But why all the political parties in the assembly sing in one chorus in support of airport. They are addicted, they yearn to suffer or perhaps already suffer gluttony of riches. Political parties in Goa are no longer rooted in soil. They are uprooted bunch of brats who can only imagine selling of the soil via mining or tarring of soil via airport. They suffer short circuit in their faculty of imagination. It has fused off. Political parties has lost something precious - equanimity. Few months ago during Zilla Parishad elections in Goa the airport affected people in Pernem boycotted the elections. They voted for none of the candidates as each of the candidates was from political parties and they found no merit in either of them. it is indeed very remarkable that they found the established political leaders in Goa irrelevant. Surely people of Mopa have some treasured wisdom. Our leaders are indeed irrelevant. They can became relevant only if they care for themselves to root back into the soil and get away from their current rooting in money bags and shady land deals. My complete support to People of Mopa, Pernem.

The fourth example. Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Till couple of years back there was no major trouble to the local people there. They suddenly forest department dug so called boundaries and made it impossible for the cattle to enter forest for grazing purpose. Human mobility into the forest is greeted with metal gate in Auli village. But most dangerous thing the forest department in engaged in doing in Canacona, Sanguem and all other forest in their jurisdiction is aggressive plantations of eucalyptus trees. These are alien species of trees that drastically change the natural composition of forest trees. In some places natural forest is felled by forest officials and these eucalyptus trees are planted. Now this is very stupid. No animal eat the leaves of these trees nor any grass would grown on ground where the trees are spread. These leaves takes very long to decompose. Who benefits from this? Perhaps some timber or paper industry. And now Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is aggressively pursuing the policy of evicting people living the legally classified forest areas away from it. Why? because forest department cannot pursue its goals in full swing. it considers these people in forest as its enemies. The pressure is already being felt in Goa. In fact digging of boundaries and fencing forest ways with metal gates in Cotigao did not evoke strong response from any of the elected politicians in the Goa Assembly. Why? because they care for the people only at the time of voting. And that is once in 5 years. The rest of the time their masters are someone else. They may be anybody except the people who vote for them. Perhaps this is inherent flow of the representative democracy that we have in place. Perhaps it is time to think bold and do away with this kind of democracy and proceed towards more direct democracy. More direct in a sense that people will govern their lives without anyone representing them but will deal with bureaucracy directly or in in groups. They will directly express to the authorities not only their voice but also the voice of forest, plants, tress, insects, worms, birds, animals, fishes, wells, rivers, reptiles, amphibians, and every life form. It is time to venture out boldly, in diversity.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Exclusive road for mining through forest in Panchwadi, Goa

Goa Government has bended to the demands of mining industry and has gone ahead and demarcated 45 meters wide road through the thick forest in Panchawadi. This is disaster not only for the Forest but also for the Panchwadi village in very special way as their major water source - Maisal water dam stands threatened.

Here is a map of what Goa stands to loose if mining barons are let to have their way:


View Panchwadi mining roads resistence in a larger map

Panchwadi complaint of unlawful conducts at Gram Sabha

PANCHAWADI BACHAO SAMITI

c/o Christev D'Costa (Ex-Sarpanch),

Vizor, Panchawadi,

Ponda Taluka, Goa

Date: 7^th February 2010

To

The BDO Ponda Taluka,

Ponda, Goa

SUB: UNLAWFUL CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS AT PANCHAWADI GRAM SABHA ON 7/2/2010

Dear Sir

Further to our conversation with you at around 5 PM on 7/2/2010 in the aftermath of the Gram Sabha fiasco, we hope that you shall deliver quick justice in our case.

The events of the Gram Sabha of V.P. Panchawadi held on 7/2/2010 are correctly recorded as follows:

1. The Gram Sabha commenced at 10.40 AM on 7/2/2010. It was chaired by the Dy. Sarpanch in the absence of the Sarpanch.
2. The attendance register was taken around to record the names of the attendees from 10.40 AM to 1.10 PM.
3. Gram Sabha proceedings commenced immediately thereafter.
4. The first item on the agenda, confirmation of the minutes of the previous Gram Sabha Meeting held on 22/11/2009, was taken up first.

a. In item no. 3, name of Mr. Manuel D'Costa as proposer was deleted and Mr. Dilip Gaonkar the Panch was added in his place, since the letter from Sesa Goa was an internal correspondence of the Panchayat. However, the Secretary did not enter the same in the minutes register, in spite of requests.

b. In item no. 4, the person recorded to have proposed the said resolution, clarified that there was no separate issue and that his submissions were with regard to item no. 3 only, and not recorded correctly. Hence it was decided that the said item no. 4 is canceled. However, the Secretary did not enter the same in the minutes register, in spite of requests.

c. The last two lines of the unnumbered resolution were pointed out to be incorrect by the majority of the Gram Sabha members present. It was pointed out that when the mike had been snatched during discussions over the said proposal, the Sarpanch had fainted and the Gram Sabha Meeting of 22/11/2009 ended amidst chaos. The Dy. Sarpanch had then declared that the meeting was adjourned and that the further date would be announced after the next monthly meeting of the Panchayat body. The Dy. Sarpanch and Secretary were questioned on how the records were blatantly falsified, but they had no answers and yet refused to correct the same. This refusal of the Secretary under the instructions of the Dy. Sarpanch amounts to usurping the powers of the Gram Sabha in a most blatant manner. The meeting was thereafter held up in discussion on the same issue for almost half an hour.

5. At this point, the Dy. Sarpanch abruptly took up the fifth item on the agenda without concluding the first, or even considering the second, third and fourth items. This act itself shows the Dy. Sarpanch's bias and intentions, which are confirmed by the pre-determined course of action that was to follow.
6. Without any deliberations on the issue contained in the fifth item, the Dy. Sarpanch asked the persons supporting the proposal for mining roads to raise their hands. Only about 40 persons raised their hands in support of the project and the rest of the attendees forming an overwhelming majority opposed the same. Thereupon, the Sarpanch stated that since the Gram Sabha members are not co-operating, he is entitled to decide the issue and said “resolution passed”. This is gross misuse of power by the Dy. Sarpanch in concert with the Secretary and is also unlawful under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.
7. After stating “resolution passed”, the Dy. Sarpanch accompanied by the other two Panchas, the BDO observer and the Secretary (carrying the minutes register) fled from the venue before the people could respond.

We therefore demand as follows:

1. The resolutions taken on the issue of mining roads during the Gram Sabhas of 22/11/2009 and 7/2/2010 to be declared null and void.
2. The Secretary of V.P. Panchawadi to be suspended with immediate effect for his involvement in the conspiracy to defraud the Panchayat Raj institutions and misuse of powers.
3. The Dy. Sarpanch to be disqualified for gross misuse of power, fraud and misrepresentation.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Christev D'Costa and others

(signatures attached separately)

Interpretation from Panchwadi Bachao Samiti on events of 7th February in the village

Overwhelming opposition to the proposed mining roads dominated the Gram Sabha Meeting held on 7/2/2010 at Panchawadi, which eventually ended at 4 PM in chaos and confusion, yet again. Over 400 persons opposed the proposal by Sesa Goa to use Panchawadi for mining activities, completely outnumbering the handful of supporters of the Sesa proposal. However, the Dy. Sarpanch, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of the Sarpanch, and the Secretary continued to use illegitimate means to further the aims of Sesa by refusing to allow a hand vote to prove the majority.

The first two and a half hours of the grueling meeting were consumed in taking signatures of the attendees. The meeting then commenced with reading of the previous Gram Sabha Meeting minutes which went on for another 3 hours without conclusion. The Dy. Sarpanch and Secretary were grilled by the Gram Sabha members for falsifying the minutes, to which questions they could not offer any replies. Frustrated with the impasse, the people asked the Dy. Sarpanch to decide the issue with a hand vote. When the Dy. Sarpanch asked the supporters of the Sesa plan to raise their hands only a dozen persons lifted their hands. Overjoyed with their victory, the villagers next asked the Sarpanch to count the number of members opposing the said project. The Sarpanch refused to allow the hand vote in spite of persistent demands from the Gram Sabha members. As the Gram Sabha members mounted pressure for the hand vote, the Sarpanch abruptly stated that since the Gram Sabha members were not co-operating, he had adopted a resolution approving the Sesa proposal. After making this statement, the Sarpanch, Secretary, BDO observer and the few supporters of the mining company abruptly and hurriedly left the venue under the protection of the large police posse. The majority of the villagers were left shocked and agitated by the unlawful act of the Sarpanch followed by his sudden disappearance, an obvious plan to undermine the Gram Sabha. This was followed by intense protests by the angry villagers who even blocked the Shiroda-Sanvordem road for over one hour, during which period some persons damaged the Panchayat building. The villagers have pointed out that not a single policeman attempted to stop the breakage and allege that the damage to the public property was a pre-planned move by the supporters of the mining company.

The Panchayat authorities finally arrived at the scene only at about 5.15 PM and assured the villagers that their grievances would be resolved immediately, which assurances have been taken by the villagers with more than a pinch of suspicion.

Press Release from Pachwadi Bachao Samiti

PANCHAWADI BACHAO SAMITI

c/o Christev D'Costa (Ex-Sarpanch),

Vizor, Panchawadi,

Ponda Taluka, Goa

Date : 6/2/2010

PRESS RELEASE

This is apropos to the news article which appeared in some local dailies on 5^th Feb 2010 suggesting that the villagers of Panchawadi want mining roads, ore storage yards and loading jetties to be located in our village. The villagers of Panchawadi strongly condemn this malicious and false report and place the correct facts before you as follows.

Firstly, as pointed out in the article itself, the supporters of the mining company number only about 70. The remaining population of more than 4,000 villagers is completely opposed to the proposed mining activities in our village. The mining company may buy a few persons with promises, especially those who have nothing to lose since they do not even live in our village, but they can never buy the majority of Panchawadkars. It is extremely unethical that as the majority struggle for the survival of the village, such false and malafide news reports are being placed before the public, and shows the extent to which the mining company is prepared to go in order to succeed in its plans for the destruction of Panchawadi.

Secondly, the spokesperson of the supporters of the mining company quoted in the article was always in the forefront to oppose the mining activities in the past. His sudden reversal of stand can only be attributed to unethical means being adopted by the mining company, but does not change the fact that the majority is against the proposed mining activities.

Thirdly, the ridiculous argument that the mining road is going to make it easier for medical emergencies to be attended to has no basis. In fact, not only will the mining traffic disrupt all other traffic, it shall also cause many more medical emergencies than we have today.

Finally, the said news article has been engineered by the mining company with the specific purpose of destroying the democratic processes at the Panchayat level. In fact, over the past 15 years, Gram Sabha resolutions have been taken on six occasions opposing mining activities in our village. We have seen now that with the taking over of the said mining company by a British Company, the company's efforts have increased in urgency and intensity. The mining company is presently trying to somehow overturn all the earlier Gram Sabha resolutions, and to portray that the villagers want mining activities in the village. In order to accomplish this, the mining company seems prepared to go to any extent.

Panchawadi is a unique village in the entire State of Goa, as it is endowed with about 100 Has of Mangrove forests and khazans, 200 Has of Command area served by a dedicated dam at Moissal, large forests and unending cashew plantations. There is no doubt that this village is among the greenest villages in the entire State, which by itself should be enough reason not to allow its destruction. There is no doubt that the mining company's intentions are not only against the interests of the villagers, but are also extremely dangerous to the ecological balance of the entire State.

The villagers of Panchawadi therefore reiterate their demand that the proposed mining activities in Panchawadi be completely dropped, and also declare that under no circumstances shall we allow the nefarious plans of the mining company to succeed. We also advise officials, politicians, reporters and others to accept the reality that we shall never allow this ill-conceived project to materialize. We pray to our fellow countrymen to show their support for our cause in every possible way. In particular, the Sarpanch is holding a Gram Sabha today on 7/2/2010, where we invite all to come and observe the defense of Indian grass root democracy, and of our village.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

Shri Christev D'Costa

President

Panchawadi Bachao Samiti

Mining puts Panchwadi village on road to troubled jetty

Yesterday was a historic Sunday for Panchwadi villagers in Goa's Ponda taluka. The village Panchayat had its gram sabha. One of the points on the agenda has been to approve or disapprove the proposed exclusive road for mining ore transportation and construction of Jetty for the loading of the Ore. Villagers paddy fields are meant to be sacrificed to benefit the mining company - Sesa Goa owned by British corporate Vedanta who is busy plundering Goa's mineral resources with complete blessings of the Indian and Goa government.

As soon as issue came up today for discussion at the gram sabha over 200 people opposed mining roads as well as the Jetty. While only 20 people stood up to support the mining company's proposal - most of them with business interest in mining trucks. Sarpanch refused to register majority decision of villagers against the mining roads and mining jetty. This created an uproar. Sarpanch, Secretary, and Ponda BDO had to be escorted out of Panchayat building with Police protection. It's irony of democracy after mining company purchases and selects elects representatives.

Later in the evening villagers opposed to the mining roads and Jetty created road blockade in the village. Some miscreants also pelted stones at the Panchayat office. Further details are awaited.