Our point of view: Tribal Voices from Goa

Durgadas Gaonkar[1]
Pandurang Kukalkar [2]


Goa as you know is referred as the Rome of the East and known for western culture but the government of India and Government of Goa projects the Goan culture before the world in the form of folklore, folk art and folk dances. These belongs to aborigines of Goa. While the State has been projecting these their rightful possessor- the Gawdas, Kunbis, Velips and Dhangars continues to live the subjugated lifestyles – oppressed by developmental models followed in the past five centuries. Though tribal population of Goa as per 1991 census constitutes 30% of the population the state Government claims[3] it as 12%. Ironically though School textbooks continues to hold that the tribal population of Goa as 30%.

The Popular history of Goa very cleverly erases any tribal presence for thousands of years. This is because the history Goa is full of myths propogated by the Dominant hegemonic classes. It’s chief myth is the shooting of Arrow by Parshuram from the top of Sahyadri Hills and descend of Arabian Sea; there by causing rise of rich fertile Goa’s Coast[4]. While the fact is that these land are fertile as they form due to evolutionary process of millions of years. Goa’s plains between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea are natural evolutionary processes. There was no role of Parshuram’s Arrow. In fact land was formed millions of years even before the birth of Parshuram’s Ancestors in human form- leave aside Parshurama.

The history of tribes in Goa is unwritten. The knowledge is passed through oral form from one generation to another generation in the form of folklore such as Jagor, Dhalo, Fugdeo, Shigmo and other folk dances.

There are four tribal groups in Goa: Gawdas, Kunbis, Velips and Dhangars. Pandurang Kunkalkar and Durgadas Gaonkar belong to Gawda Tribe and are both active in various tribal movements directed towards tribal protection and welfare over the past 25 years. Gawdas are the original inhabitants and first settlers of Goa who founded villages. Infact the word Gawda itself means in Konkani ‘Gaon vosoupi ani Gaon Gaddo choloupi’ meaning the one who establishes the village and administers it towards prosperity. The Gawda tribe are of Mundari origin coming from Chottanagpur.

The village administration system was in the handled by Gaonkars in some places and by Budhvonts in other places. Jalmis were the priest along with the Velips. There is a meeting place in every tribal village called as mand. All the member of the tribal community from the village used to meet at Mand and decide on important community matters. The collective decion was taken after listening to the entire community and everybody was bound by the same. At the Taluka level all the heads of the villages and the priests used to meet at the place called Barazan. The place called Barazan is identified at Dhulapi of Corlim Village in Tiswadi Taluka, In Bhatti village of Sanghem Taluka , Usgao village of Ponda Taluka and Bhirondem village in Sattari Taluka. Here the decisions of the Taluka along with the village level were collectively taken to bound by tribal villages. The third level of decion making after village and the Barazan was called Varg. Those decisions cannot be taken at Barazan level used to be decided in Varg. One such Varg is identified at Bambolim plateu in Curca village. The meetings conducted on democratic principles.

Velip tribe is the priestly class from Gawdas. Kunbis and Dhangars shared close relationship with Gawdas in the past. These tribes- most hard working and sturdy in themselves inhabited forest areas for their dwellings. During the times of conquests in history they went on moving towards the interior of forests. They had their stable settlements in different regions with independent administration based on oral tradition. The repeated conquerors in the history of Goa left land relations untouched. It is only with the Portuguese Colonial rulers that the land relations began to change as the Portuguese undertook codification exercise where in the concept of private property was introduced and implemented. Prior to this there has never been private ownership of property in Goa.

Contemporatry Communidade system as was known by the tribals as Ganvponn was the system of the original tribals of Goa. Its membership was restricted only to those who till land for agricultural purposes. As all the tribals were tilling the land they were all the members of the Ganvponn. The system of cultivation was on co-operative basis. There was no private ownership of land. Communidades system was a trade off for conversion introduced by the Portuguese rulers supported by the local elites. Tribes during the codification exercise lost its land in written records due to illiteracy and Portuguse colonial State entering in the pact with those newly converted to Christianity[5] . Tribes also lost to Hindu and Christian conversions due to force and ignorance.[6] Gawdas were devided into Hindu Gawdas and Christian Gawdas. The Hindu Gawdas were again devided into Hindu Gawdas and Nava Hindu Gawdas (After re-conversion to Hinduism from Christianity) . The Christian Gawdas were devided into Christian Gawdas[7] and Kunbi Gawdas[8]. Religions have played vicious role to keep the tribes devided on religious lines. Further there is inroads of religious fundamentalists amongst the tribal communities seeking to promote de-tribalism. These tendencies must be fought and efforts needs to be made to retain tribal culture along with scientific temper. Tribals were nature worshipers and never idol worshipers.
The post independence period saw one good thing happening – because of establishment of good network of schools throughout Goa, particularly in rural areas- level of literacy has picked up. It also contributed to the emerging of Tribal movements for self assertions. The movements of tribes in Goa found strongest support from a Catholic Priest Joaquim Fernandes in the decade of 1970’s. He trained first generation activists from the tribal community. He had formed Gawda Vikas Mandal in 1974 for promotion of tribal welfare. However, prior to that in 1962 Gomantak Goud Maratha Samaj was formed. In 1980 emerged Gawda Kunbi Velip and Dhangar Federation. In 1984 Goan Organising Association (GOA) was formed. On 10th June 2001 Goa State Schduled Tribe Action Committee (GAKUVED) was formed. On 7th January 2003 Tribal Welfare Organisation was formed.

Mass movement started from 1998. on 1st March 2001 2,500 people participated in tribal morcha in Panjim. On 26th January 2001 hunger strike gave ultimatum to government to demand inclusion of names of Goa’s tribes in the Constitutional Schedule list. On 10th June 2001 in Ponda GAKUVED was formed which brought all tribal organizations in Goa and tribal leaders together in the history of the tribal Movement in Goa.

On behalf of GAKUVED speaker of the Lok Sabha was petitioned to demand inclusion of Goa’s tribes in the Schedule list. Parliament committee visited Goa to examine the issue in detail. In December 2002 SC & ST Amendment Bill 2002 was passed in the parliament Goa’s Gawdas, Kunbis &Velips was included in the Scheduled Constitutional list. President gave his Assent to this bill on 7th January 2003. After repeated pressure Goa Government notified the same on 22nd April 2003. In spite of all this there is no benefit to the community in terms of Government employment.


Geographically tribes are spread out in the hilly, forested and minerally rich Talukas such as Sattari, Sanghem and Cancona. There are also tribal settlements in Tiswadi, Quepem, Ponda, Salcette and Bicholim. The communities are particularly at the receiving end from the development projects such as Salulim Dam, Konkan Railway, mining and Wild life sactuaries. Most of the Goa’s Industrial estates are located in the tribal settlements. Cudka, once tribal Capital of Tiswadi is venue for one of the biggest Garbage dump in Goa, besides being the site for new Jail. Driking water sources of the tribes are polluted due to pollution of Konkan Railway in Balli, Quepem.[9]

Wildlife sanctuary at Cotigao, Canacona is designed to prevent traditional tribal access to forest. Though this sanctuary was declared in 1964 the settlement claims in terms of providing alternate venue is not yet met. While these are enough burdens State declared two more sanctuaries- Mhadei and Netravali Sanctuaries in 2001 thus putting more pressure on the tribals residing in the Wildlife demarcated areas. On the one hand state is engaged in clearing the forest of the tribes, on the other hand it is handing over the houses belonging to tribes to eco-tourism purposes i.e Nandran in bhagwan Mahawir wildlife Sanctuary, Sanghem, Goa.

Mining has destroyed agriculture and life support in Sattari, Quepem, Bicholim and Sanghem Talukas. On the one hand due to encroaching of Agricultual land and on the other hand due to silting of Agricultural spaces. The depletion of ground water in in these talukas has caused tremendous water shortage even for the drinking purpose. Ruthless bulldozing of forest has played havoc with tribal dwellings i.e. Colamb, Sanghem. The health of these communities has suffered due to dust pollution caused due to mining attracting various lung diseases such as Bronchitis and Tuberculosis. The agricultural dependent communities have lost important grazing grounds for their cattles.

The irrigation disaster of Goa called Salaulim Dam was thrust upon the locality of 90% tribal inhabitation in the 1970’s the massive re-settlement exercise that was initiated then is yet to be completed. The people occupying agriculturally rich areas are resettled on dry bare Rocks i.e. Curdi village now renamed as Vadem in Sanghem is so backward by any parameters that they have no drinking water, though they gave way for dam, no agriculture and they are re-settled on barren hill top, so interior that teacher want to join the local government school and every yearly SSC result are 0%.

The story of village of Corlim in Tiswadi is equally gory. The co-operative farming lands were forcibly transferred to Christian missionary organisation – Santa Monica soon after the onset of Portuguese Colonial rule. After the Annexure of Goa to India in 1961, one part of these lands was transferred to local communidade and the remaining to the multinational company- CIBA GEIGY in 1968. This company was renamed after the corporate merger as NOVARTIS. There is no employment to the Tribals in the company. On the contrary this Swiss Multinational is tickling time bomb to the Tribals in the vicinity. Tribals had to even rob the grass meant for their cattle from the land under the capture of the corporate that is now called as SYNGENTA.

To face the challenges before tribes in Goa we seek collaboration and co-operation from all the tribal groups and individuals concerned across India.


Acknowledgements:-

Sebastian Rodrigues for his facilitation to write this paper.


NOTE: -
Presented at 8th annual conference of Nature Environment Society and Transformations (NEST) on the theme Indigenous People from 16 – 18 November 2004 at Social Development Centre, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

Footnotes
[1] General Secretary, The Goa State Schedule Tribe Action Committee
General Secretary, Tribal Welfare Organisation.
[2]North Goa Convener, The Goa State Schedule Tribe Action Committee
Vice President, Tribal welfare Organisation.
[3] The claim is based on the survey conducted by Goa State OBC commission in 2002-03
[4] Refer to Sahyadri Khand
[5] Treaty with the Afonso Albuquerque in 1510…. which was accepted and honoured by then King of Portugal and stands confirm by the Foral of Afonso Mexia dated 16.9.1526.(letter addressed to the delegates of world Social Forum by Association of Componentes of communidades of Goa, Panaji, dated 18.1.2004.)
[6] Portuguese carried on the conversion exercise through symbolisms of Bread and Water and well as use of State forces.
[7] Those who has given up tribal traditions.
[8] Those retaining tribal characteristics like rituals, names etc.
[9] Milagrine Ferrao (2004) unpublished study.

Beware: Black Gold will turn their future black

An account of the impact of iron ore mining on the Tribal Communities in Goa by Mihir Bhonsle of NCAS, Pune.

We all must have visited Goa!The Goa Tourism Website says 'Goa: Mind, Body and Soul, A perfect Tourist Destination.' Any reference to this land immediately brings to our minds the exotic beaches, rich cuisines, hospitable locals and more of a place where one can hang out. Not, very far from my own state Maharshtra, I have always wanted to be there to experience a great weekend. But, till very recently I did not know that there is another face to this land of beauty, which tends to get lost in the beechy landscapes. Contradictions have become starker, motivating the tribal communities to organize themselves and resist the exploitation of their livelihood sources.

Exploitation of tribes in Goa, have been prevalent even before the Portuguese Colonial rule, but their condition has since then worsened. The Portuguese state, which till the early 1900s had explored that the land which they had colonized, was rich in Iron ore. The tribes like Gawdas (one of the earliest settlers) who were already being deprived of their lands after the intrusion of the Bhats and the Desai's (upper castes), were further pushed to the margin during the Portuguese rule. Mining leases were granted to local businessmen to start extracting iron ore, especially in the Sanguem, Quepem, Bicholim, Sattari, Bardez and Pernem talukas. These regions were mainly inhabited by the tribes. The mining activity cost dearly to the tribes residing in this area. After, the exploitation of the tribes continued after the liberation of Goa in 1961.

Till, 2001 i.e. after 40 long years of being Indians, the Government did not grant Scheduled tribe status to the Tribes namely Gawda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangars. Gawda, Kunbi and Velip got Scheduled Tribe status, but Dhangar tribe are yet to be included in the Scheduled Tribes. The struggle of the tribes for getting SC status, which is on, since the liberation Goa continues till today. But, little did they know that in the years to come they would have to fight for their right to livelihood. The most vulnerable sections of the mining activity are the tribal communities as most of the mining leases granted by the state are in the forest cover region, where tribes have resided for several thousand years. But, due to rampant mining activity, the livelihood of the tribal communities has got a severe blow.

"The state government has always used the Sakharecha Sura (Sugar Coated Dagger) to stab us"; remarked Durgadas Gaonkar, the President of GAKUVED (Gawda Kunbi Velip and Dhangar Federation). GAKUVED has been organizing the tribes for demanding reservation since 1997. He was speaking at a meeting which was organized by the people of Colamb (Sanguem taluka) to discuss the impact of the mining activity in the vicinity of Colamb village. The villagers of Colamb have always resisted the mining activity, which is in operation in their vicinity. Fomentos group of mining has been extracting iron ore in the nearby areas of the village, which are classified as forest land by the State Government. Fomentos is operating the mine on behalf of Hiralal Khodidas and Company, the later being granted a lease since the colonial times and which has continued in Independent India. Saptu a villager from Colamb complaining about the mine said, 'The mud dug out by the excavation process falls in our farm-lands, spoiling our yield".

Villagers have always been vocal of their problems faced due to the mining activity. Not only the silt, but mining has caused the depletion of the surrounding natural resources like water, the water table for land has been reduced substantially, the water bodies have been polluted by the mining silt, which makes it unfit for palatable purposes. Houses falling in the area have developed cracks due to the explosives used for mining. The mining company has converted forest areas into rice plantations and has used it for dumping wastes. Expansion of mining activity into newer areas has caused large scale displacement of local people. Overall, the mining has led to a systemic degradation of the livelihood sources of the tribal communities mainly that of the Gawdas and has also led to the destruction of the surrounding environment. The compensation, the company is paying to the villagers comes to around Rs. 400 per person a month. The compensation offered does not hold any value to the tribals residing in the areas, as the mining activity is threatening their source of livelihood.

As a villager rightly pointed out, "Iron ore is black gold." So, the vested interests are trying to plunder it, at the cost of the livelihood of the people.

The State Government is not heeding to the demand of the tribal communities. Rama Velip, a villager of Colamb who has been vocal of the situation of the villagers of Colamb, displayed a map to me, which identified the active iron ore mining leases. The number of squares rounded-up in the map was shocking. Starting from the Southern part of Goa, extending up to the North –eastern part, the whole of this belt was marked as a mining belt i.e. active leases have been granted for mining of iron ore. These leases have been retained after the liberation of Goa and the formation of the independent Goa state. Government of India enacted a law known as the Goa Daman and Diu mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1957. By the virtue of this law, the mining leases granted by the Portuguese colonial state were brought under the purview of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. That means that the mining leases, which were granted in the colonial rule were refreshed. Also, Mining is one of the major contributors to the State's revenue and hence whichever party comes to power, it is reluctant to curb the massive exploitation of tribals and the natural resources.
Goa has always been promoted as a Tourist Destination, which has hidden the larger questions, which the state faces. We have always been shown the glamorous side of the land, which is no doubt worthy of notice, but realities in which the local people live are very different from the merry-land we aspire to visit. The livelihood of the tribal communities is being plundered, pushing them to the brims in the so called developed state. This small state whose geographical limits do not extend to a few hundred kilometers has as of today around 1,600 active mining leases, that talks about the massive kind of exploitation which the people of the state have to go through. The tribals are fast grappling to the situation and are realizing the violation of their right to livelihood, protected by the law of the land. So, next time any of you visit Goa, do bother to turn to the Southern part of Goa and see experience the hospitality of struggling tribals.

Ref.: LAND, MINING AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN GOA: AN OVERVIEW, A SAIP Study Project By Sebatian Rodrigues.

Dusk Richardson reports on her exposure visit to Goa adivasi villages

Introduction
There are four tribal groups of Aboriginals that exist in Goa – the Gawdas, Kunbis, Velips and Dhangars – which make up 30 percent of Goa’s population. Despite being the original habitants of Goa, the land of the Aboriginal Goans has being unjustly taken from them since even before Portuguese colonization. Since Post-Liberation in Goa, the Government of Goa has continued in the footsteps of their repressive colonizers, continuing and increasing these atrocities regarding removal of land from the tribal villages. Over a short period in December, 2007, I was given the opportunity to visit various tribal villages inhabited by Aboriginal Goans throughout the regions of Canacona, Quepem and Sanguem in the south of Goa. In this report I will be identifying the various struggles of the tribal villages that I was witness to during my fieldwork – in particular the issues of mining and the Wildlife Sanctuaries, both instigated by the Government of Goa.

The Tribal Villages Culture of Agriculture
The Aboriginal Goan’s connection to the land extends far beyond the economical benefits of produce. Rather, the tribal village’s culture, traditions and way of life are deeply rooted in their land. It is important to recognize this as it frames the depth of impact the Government of Goa’s removal of tribal land is currently having on the tribal people in Goa. The Aboriginal tribes trace their dwelling of the land to as early as 5000 BC. Over thousands of years, it is the tribal people of Goa that have turned Goa into the fertile land it is today. During my visits to the village, the tribal people’s connection to the land was evident in so many ways. Particularly it was seen in how the people carried out the movements of their day-to-day lives, as well as the way in which they worked together as a family to do so. Traditional objects that I saw in each of the homes I visited – such as the ‘koita’ (the knife used to chop firewood and produce from trees), the chimney (used for light at night), the ‘paine’ (their handmade cradle for newborns) – all spoke of how the villager’s way of life was resourced from the land.

Along with this, in the tribal villages, I saw many agricultural rituals – such as creating the rice paddies, harvesting the rice, separating the grain in the fields, carrying the rice to the village houses, sifting the rice in the home – all of which the family took part in as a whole. Out in the fields I saw children tending to their plots with their parents and siblings, I witnessed young children playing amongst the rice plants as the oxen separated it with their grazing. In one home, I saw a three-year old girl mirroring her mother’s actions as she sifted the rice in preparation for the evening’s meal. In this home, four brothers lived under the same roof with their wives, their children and their parents. Together, they tended to the land of their ancestors, sharing the crops and subsisting as one. In all of this, it became very clear to me how the agricultural practices of the tribal villagers are not merely connected to their subsistence, but to their traditions, cultures and ultimately – their very way of life. Under the Government of Goa’s current legislation, it is not just the Aboriginal Goan’s land that is under threat, but their way of life that has existed for thousands of years.

Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the Government of Goa’s initiatives that is currently threatening the tribal villagers way of life is the creation of various ‘Wildlife Sanctuary’s in tribal land around Goa. The borders of these areas have been marked without consideration of the existing tribal villages, and therefore, thousands of tribal people find themselves being bordered in. With the hope of pressuring the tribal villagers to relocate, the Government of Goa has put in place ‘Forest Police’ to protect these new sanctuaries.

During my visit to various tribal villages, I witnessed the implications of these Wildlife Sanctuaries and the effects of these on the tribal people. In Edda, for example, we discovered a large gate that had been erected, blocking the path to the tribal village. The padlocked gate not only blocked traffic from entering the tribal village, but it is aiming to limit the tribal people’s movement. Next to the gate, deep trenches have been dug along either side, stretching out for kilometers. The Government in Goa, in setting up the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, has taken no note of the villagers living in this area. Instead the Government is using tactics like these to pressure the people to move away.

When I was visiting this village in Edda, the tribal people were hesitant to speak out about the issues they were facing, as amongst the people there exists a fear of the Government – making it difficult for the people to even voice their struggles. One tribal villager, however, quietly spoke of how the Government is even restricting the villagers from chopping firewood on their own land. Whenever the tribal people enter their forrest the Forrest Police are confiscating their ‘koitas’ so the villagers are unable to chop wood. The villagers are now forced to venture out at night in order to chop the necessary firewood for cooking and heating.

Also, within the boundaries of the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, the tribal people are being restricted from grazing their cattle in certain areas. On the junction of Kho Digao and Gaondongri Road the Government has allocated the villagers a new place to graze their cattle, however in this area there are no plants for the cattle to eat. In response to this the Government has planted saplings on this new ground, but these are not even vegetation suited to the cattle’s requirements. It is ventures like these, and others I have mentioned, that the Government of Goa is using to put pressure on the tribal villagers way of life. Due to the success of these agitations, these tribal villages are under threat of being displaced. Because the tribal people have no records of land ownership as they have always been passed down generations orally, in tradition with their culture, the tribal people have no legal backing with which they can respond.

Mining
Another severe threat to the Aboriginal Goans and their land at the hand of the Government of Goa is the mining taking place all throughout Goa. Recognised by the colonizers as very profitable for mining, the tribal villagers have been losing their land for decades for the economic gain of the elite. After Independence, the colonizers still held power in Goa for another 16 years before the Government of India decided to go in and free Goa. Three days before the Government did this, they had been making enquiries into the economical gain of the mining industry in Goa, revealing their motivation to freeing Goa as their own economic gain. This reflects the Government’s values of economics before the welfare of the people. From then on, the mining industry has only further expanded in Goa and it is causing great problems for the tribal people.

The problems caused by mining have different effects depending on the location of the various tribal villages. These consequences include the pollution effecting the land and crops, the pollution which is detrimental to the villagers’ health, the pollution of the tribal people’s water supply, the damage to their houses due to explosions in mining, and ultimately, the displacement of tribal villages for the purposes of mining and such.

The tribal people living in areas close to the mining are suffering devastating effects on their health, their crops and their livelihood from the pollution caused by the mines. The dust from the mines can be seen nearby as the leaves of all the surrounding vegetation are painted with the dust. The excess rocks and dirt from the mining are dumped without adequate walls or protection, so in the rainy season, the excess turns to mud and runs into the rivers and agriculture. With muddy red rivers, the tribal villagers drinking water and their water for agriculture is highly polluted. This muddy water also runs into the villagers’ plots of land and the difference between the growth of plants close to the mining can be clearly seen. In one village I visited, the coconut trees on the side of the mining were more than half the size of those further away in the same field.

In addition to this, the villagers’ health is being deeply affected as a result of the pollution from the mines – with many suffering from respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Alongside this threat to people’s health is the threat to their lives. Due to the explosions occurring within the mines, people’s houses are crumbling as a result. The walls of one house I saw had split right through and the head of the family was concerned about the next blast, as anyone present in the house at the time could be in danger of being crushed. These are only some of the devastating effects of the Government’s mining industry in Goa on the tribal villagers and their land, which I was witness to during my visit to the tribal villages.

While the effect on the tribal people living close to the mines is extremely damaging, as I have outline above, the impact of relocation of the tribal people has a further devastating effect. Many villagers are being relocated so their land can be used for mining and other purposes. One example where this has occurred is in the village of Curbem in Sanguem, where five thousand families were displaced so that the Government of Goa could build a dam. The people’s villages were submerged under water and the Government of Goa relocated them. Given only a small amount of compensation from the Government, the villagers themselves were required to come up with the remaining amount required in order to rebuild their homes. In addition to this, the land they were allocated for agriculture was much smaller and less fertile than their now submerged fields, affecting their subsistence and ultimately their standard of living.

When I visited the relocated area of the tribal people, I found it noticeably different to the villages I had seen that were still untouched by the Government. The relocated people were living on very small blocks of land that were cramped closely together and lacked the space and landmass that was taken from them by the Government. The tribal people had not only lost their homes, their fertile land, but they had lost the inheritance of their ancestry.

The loss of culture at the Government of Goa’s hand
Even without being displaced, the Government is taking away people’s land and the ability to live in the tradition of their ancestors. I came across this in the village of Kajuwad, where the Government had restricted the tribal villagers’ agricultural practices of clearing. Instead of cultivating a different plot of land every four years to seize the most fertile land, the Government has banned the villagers from this agricultural practice. The land that the villagers’ have been allocated is not as fertile as their previous practice allowed, so they can no longer live off the land – growing their own fruit, vegetables, grains and spices, as they have done throughout the generations. Instead, now the tribal people are only able to grow cash crops – such as cashews and coconuts. So where the tribal people’s tradition has been to live off the land, this traditional has been taken from them and they are now forced to participate in an economy where the integrity of their culture has been lost.

Agitation Towards the Government
The Aboriginal tribal people of Goa see the Government ‘s actions as unjust for many reasons. I will not go into them here as they are deeply rooted in history and politics, and focus around the atrocities committed surrounding the legality of the tribal people’s land tenure. It is important to note, however, that in regards to the mining, the Government of Goa is supporting mining companies who are illegally mining without a permit. Furthermore, the police are protecting these companies by the direction (and reward) of the Government. I witnessed this first hand when visiting various villages, only to find that security guards blocked off many of the mining areas and we were not permitted to enter onto the tribal people’s land.

While the threat to the tribal people’s land and way of life is very severe, the alternative of aggravating the Government with protests and demonstrations holds its own danger.

On my last day of visiting the tribal villages, the people prepared themselves for a human rights Day rally in the Municipal Gardens in Quepem, protesting against the Government of Goa and their treatment of the tribal people and their land. With over one hundred people gathering together with placards reading ‘We Have a Right to Clean Water’ and ‘Save Our Agriculture, Save Our Culture’, shouting in one voice things like “Mining Band kara’ (Stop the Mining), it was a powerful display. After making demonstrations in front of the Government offices and the Police buildings, the villagers proceeded to the gardens where different speakers passionately spoke about the issues they are all facing as tribal villages and the need to fight for justice. For GAKUVED and the people of the tribal villages, this is only the beginning of their agitation.

Conclusion
In this report, I have recorded my insights into the political struggles that the tribal villages of the Aboriginal Goan people are facing against the Government of Goa. In what I saw, it appears that the strongest thing that the people have in protecting their homes, their land and their culture is through agitating the Government. While the situation for these tribal villages is at a crucial stage, if the people join together and rise up against the Government in Goa, there is hope. The evidence of this has been seen in the many tribal villages that have halted the workings of mines and stopped the implementation of others through their unceasing demonstrations. In witnessing one of the rallies organized by GAKUVED, as outlined above, for myself, the possibility of protecting tribal people’s culture has been strengthened.


Dusk Richardson,
Student of Sociology and Anthropology,
Melbourne University,
Melbourne, Australia.

Dusk Also has written another straight-from-the-heart piece on her Goa visit and published on her blog. To read that click here.

Report Edited by Sebastian Rodrigues

Ambaulim Intruzz: Interface between Adivasi faith and Christian Faith

After a gap of around 13 year the Itruz Culture of Ambaulim-Quepem in Goa have been revived by the villagers. Around 13 years back Ambaulim's traditional Itruz was very popular as thousand of people used to participate in it. However some of religious leader criticize it terming it is as anti religious, which ultimately led to its halt. In Ambaulim there are 10 wards which are dominated by the Adivasis who are following Christian faith . Except one ward all 9 wards are attached to each other having their respective traditional MAND ( a sacred place). One the previous Sunday of Carnival/Itruz the feast of the village deity “Our Lady of Lourdes” is celebrated by the villagers and which is followed by the Sunday of Itruz/Carnival.After the celebration of village feast, that is the previous Sunday of Itruz or in the middle of the week male members of each ward used to gather at the traditional Mand every day during night time till the end of the Itruz and on the bit of different musical instrument such as Dholl, Taxe, Kasali( large Copper cymble) etc used celebrate their Itruz. This was with an aim to praise the almighty for the harvest. The starting song which is called “Choren” is in glorifying Jesus Christ. One needs to ponder deeply as to whom adivasis here were glorifying before Portuguese brought Christianity few centuries ago and carried on conversions.

On the second day of itruz that is on Monday some of the villagers used to spent the whole night on the Mand, dancing on the bit of Kasali( large Copper cymble ) and song different traditional itruz songs on the bit of percussion instrument , Madalem( a musical instrument) etc. On the next day that is on Tuesday that is on the last day of Itruz/carnival early in the morning the villager of that ward used to go with all their musical instrument to visit all the houses from ward and used to wish them the joy of Itruz on the bit of Musical instrument which is termed as MELL . That after visiting all the houses the “MELL” used to return to the their “MAND” keep all the musical instrument at the mand and used to go to their respective houses.That at around 3.00PM all the villagers again used to gather at the MAND and after singing song in glory of Jesus they used to go to visit the other wards from the village to wish them the joy of Itruz. After wishing all the ward they by 7 to 8 PM used to return to their ward. This beautiful tradition has been came to a halt since last 13 years. But this year 2008 some of the youth from one of the ward came forward and revive the reach traditional culture of their village .

They with all their musical instrument on Sunday February 03 2008 visited to the different wards of Ambaulim, sang different traditional songs on the bit of musical instruments and wished them the joy of Itruz

There is nothing against the religion in the Itruz culture celebrated in the village . Infact it is used to glorify Jesus through songs . Those who criticized our culture which lead to its halt were did it without studying it or without making an attempt to know about it. Villager elder speaking stated that we are forgetting and going away from our rich culture; on the other hand we are imbibing culture which is not ours.


( Photos are of villagers participating in the celebration of traditional Itruz at Ambaulim , Quepem is annexed. In the first three photo villagers are participating in a “MELL” while in the fourth Photo village musician signing song on the bit of tradition instrument like Gumot, Madale, Kassaleo. Photos and text by John Fernandes. Text edited by Sebastian Rodrigues)

For Videos of this festival click here.

Save Colamb from mining terrorism!

Gawda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED) yesterday marched through the streets of Panjim in a silent protest in Solidarity with People from Colamb, Sanguem, Goa. Around 120 people from different parts of Goa participated in the march. It was organised to create awareness about possible annihilation of the Colamb village from the Map of Goa if the mining industry is allowed to let loose in the village.

The banner in a protest procession blared "Save Colamb from mining terrorism". This is important as Fomentos are caring on the mining trade in Colamb against the wishes of local adivasis under police protection. State of Goa and Union of India are collaborating with mining company's act of terrorism with their active support.

After the protest march group then participated in the book release function of the CSE publication on mining "Rich Lands, Poor People" in Panjim.

History created: Mining with Police protection in Colamb, Sanguem!

This is report MAND received yesterday January 23, 2008. We reproduce this even as same situation viz. mining with police protection and police attempsts to arrest Colamb villagers continues even on January 24, 2008.

Today January 23, 2008 is historic day in the life of India’s Goa State; People’s struggle to defend their land and agriculture has touched historic high – Goa police are providing police protection to further mining loot and mineral plunder in Sanguem Taluka’s Colamb village.

Quepem Police station has registered over 100 cases against the Colamb villagers that participated in historic march to the mine bearing TC No. 06/1949 belonging to Hiralal Khodidas and operated by Fometos.

Fomentos caused insult to the will of the Colamb villagers and Goa’s Adivasi peace loving community by deploying police force in its mine at Colamb, Sanguem and resuming the mining operation of open cast mine. Fomentos owned by businessmen Avadooth Timblo resumed its mining operation under police force. At the same time company filed criminal cases against the villagers for unlawful assembly, rioting, threats to cause death and grievous hurt, intention to break breach of peace, criminal trespass and abduction.

Today morning police began to swoop down upon the villagers with intention to arrest them. Goa’s men in Khaki’s trips to villagers’ houses reminded few of the dictatorial Salazar regimes of erstwhile Portuguese colonial State that had granted the mining leases including this one before so called Goa liberation of 1961. There was hardly any resemblance of Goa being free and progressive State today in Colamb. In fact it was more like Pakistan under emergency with four police jeeps patrolling mining site with over 50 policemen including women in police force inhaling dangerous mining dust in exchange for possibly diesel and few peanuts from Fomentos. Police were expecting the villagers to confront them today and had come with all the necessary preparation after one days rest yesterday when mine was kept closed. However it is unnecessary expenditure and burden on the State resources to provide such a large number of Police personnel for this purpose unless mining company treats Goa Police as its private security. Going by the turn of the events so far this is indeed is the case that needs urgent attention from Public who pay taxes to the State and demand accountability as to why State government is letting this show go on.

Though Police could not arrest any one so far till late night, they did show remarkable swiftness in searching the houses of the villagers; three times cops made trips to the Peoples’ houses. The police action in this case of acting against the citizens of India empowered wilh all the constitutional civil liberties and fundamental rights is indeed in sharp contrast to the way same Goa police treated the matter of murder through mine collapse of over 5 people by the mining company in Tollem, Sanguem in 2006. Police must make it public as to how many people has been charged and arrested and tried for murder? Why this case was hushed up without a single arrest? Which are the people against whom FIR has been registered? Why police are acting lethargic in arresting people in this case of Tollem Mine collapse? The answer is simple and straight forward: it is precisely because the culprit is the same: Fomento mining company. And of coarse we know the old saying ‘One who pays the bagpiper calls the tune’. Why is this state of Goa Police?

Mining industry in Goa operates its way with long chain of frauds. Take this example of Colamb itself: the chief logic of the police and the mining company is that it has got environmental clearance from the Environment ministry in Delhi. This clearance is based on the public hearing form this particular mining site that was held couple of years ago without any awareness of the same amongst public in Colamb and the affected people. And the site of this public hearing was over 30 kms away from the mining site, in Margao. This is a fraud by which Fomento mining company tricked environment ministry to give environmental clearance. It is another matter that Delhi is treating Goa as its colony for the exploitation of mineral wealth with scant respect to Peoples’ expression even in the mandatory public hearings: the case of Sarvan mining of Zantye mining company is the case in focus.

The appeal here is to the individual policemen on duty towards Fomentos: you are fortunate to have got this posting at the Colamb mining site to experience the beauty and splendor of this magnificent village. You’ll are brothers and sisters as well as citizens of this land. Would you’ll like this village to disappear from the Map of Goa? Do you like to create mass starvation, misery and hunger for people of Goa? Now that you’ll have spend day on the mine, how you’ll are feeling? Inhaling mining dust is dangerous, at least you must demand protective masks from your higher officers or your lungs will grow weaker and susceptible for tuberculosis.

Now imagine situation of the villagers in these circumstances where mining industry is on a roll, if your family was located in this situation, would you not revolt and protest? No police officer with self respect and dignity, and worth his salt would tolerate mining terrorism in Goa. This is being written only to let you know that public in Colamb does consider Police as their principal enemy. It considers mining company of Fomentos as their principal enemy simply because it is involved in such a process that will rob them of their food and shelter – the two fundamental necessities for living. This is an invitation to Goa Police to stand in Solidarity with the struggling people of Colamb and be one in their struggle for united we could shape Goa into prosperous place to live in with our agriculture and forest intact, and show mining it door ones and for all: for mining is single largest terrorist action, with central government permission or without it. It is indeed deep feeling of disgust that Goa Police is involved in protecting terrorist activity. Please detach from this immediately and take lead in dismantling this mine yourself. People of Colamb will remember Goa police of this patriotic act on their part as only model citizens can do. Surely there some highly respectable officers in Goa Police that will surely respond this call on urgent basis.

Pictures from Colamb Peoples' March on the Fomento Mines

"We Want Our Right not mining company's alms!"

Colamb villagers on the Fomento mining site forcing it to close down on January 21 2008.

Colamb villagers surround mining trucks on the mine forcing the company to shut down operations for a day. Women participated in large numbers along with men.

In defence of their land and agriculture, young and Old, men and women in a bid to reclaim their dignity and livelihood. Protest march on Colamb mine 06/1949 of Hiralal Khodidas.

Condemn Police Threats of Arrest of Adivasis in Colamb, Goa

Late evening of January 21 2008 around 7.00 pm two policemen from Quepem Police Station came over to the house of Rama Velip in Colamb village in Sanguem taluka and asked him to call up PI Mhahmal in Quepem Police Station. When Rama Velip did so from his resident landline someone who identified himself as PI Mhahmal came and took the receiver and threatened Rama Velip that if the villagers continue to march on the Fomento mines then he will arrest all the villagers. The reason he gave was that the land on which open cast iron ore mine is operated by Fomentos (TC No. 06/1949 of Hiralal Khodidas) for the purpose of International mining trade is a private land. The villagers who forced themselves on the mines yesterday January 21 2008 were trespassing and therefore liable for arrests and trial for criminal trespass. Therefore according to the Police villagers must refrain from such action in the near future.

Now after proof of all the illegalities in the mine under consideration if police wants to protect mining company then is it not acting in the private interest of the mining company i.e. Fomentos? It is indeed amazing as to how one of the few upright officers currently in the Goa Police force is getting arm twisted by the mining company. Still PI Mhahmal kept the option of denial of his action by not giving the threat directly to Rama Velip and administrating it only on the phone. This is exactly the method by which mining companies have been bulldozing public interest in favor of private mining interest. However his threats needs to be taken seriously and diagnosed accordingly.

Fomentos have the reputation of using Police force to bulldoze their will over the throats of People. Ten years ago the company did exactly the same in Cacra village of Tiswadi Taluka when it wanted to annihilate this coastal village by dumping some 50,000 tonnes of cement. Police party camped at the site and the drilling operation was going on under police patrolling. The project then was the construction of Off Stockyard and Berth (OSB). The food was being supplied regularly from the nearby Fomentos five star hotel Cidade de Goa. And police was acting entirely in private interest of the corporate against public interest. Later on Fomentos got Police to illegally arrest then convener of Cacra Nagrik Vikas Samiti (CNVS) and was beaten up at Goa Velha Police station under the supervision of PI Sammy Tavares. Detail paper in this regard was presented at recently concluded state level workshop on ‘Land, Mining and Adivasis in Goa’ in Panjim.

In Colamb too few villagers were picked few months ago and harassed at the Quepem Police Station and released without any charges. The reason is that they were protesting Fomentos mining of their village. In Cavrem village a month ago message was sent to the villagers that in case they do not let the Fomentos mine to operate then it will deploy 700 policemen and carry on the mining activity under police protection. So he we have serious series of example that lead us to believe that mining industry in general and Fomentos in particular is heading to transform Goa in to Police State. It is precisely it is because of this reason that citizens and democratic forces all over the world needs to unite against Police transforming itself from defenders of citizens in democracy to mafia in uniform of the mining company. The trend indeed is dangerous and deserves our strongest protest and condemnation. Fomentos are trying to achieve what they could not by offers of Carrots by administration of Stick. It however forgets that every action has equal and opposite reaction not only in Newtonian Physics but also in Society.

PI Mhahmal could do better to read his criminal law books again, particularly study sections 96 to 101 of Indian penal Code. That will enlighten his further on law of self defense that Colamb Adivasi villagers are actioning. People are forced to physically go and close down the mining precisely due to betrayal by Judiciary of common People of Colamb. And just because judiciary and administration is silenced by mining industry people should accept death? What you say PI Mhahmal? Will you still initiate your threat? Time will tell and we shall all be watching and witnessing your and your departments’ action in this case. Please don’t forget public interest rates higher than private interest of the mining company; public will assert its interest at any cost not withstanding your threats of arrests.

For that matter had not mining companies created and run this State of Goa as their private fiefdom for past 46 years? Surely you the answer to this PI Mhamal; State has always been an executive committee of the mining industry in Goa. And State includes Police too. PI Mhahmal as a sensible officer you must apply your common sense and think before dishing out the threats that is it not worthwhile to risk one ones life in defense of ones land and livelihood? In the case of Colamb it is their rice cultivation spaces which is their primary concern; how long people can survive on compensation offered by mining companies? Only idiots who has no love for physical work in their agriculture could survive this and there are none of them in Colamb village. So if rice is gone under the mines what is to be substitute? Mining dust perhaps! Surely you agree to this PI Mhamal. Don’t you?

Colamb villagers force shut down of Fomentos Mine

In a major breakthrough to the movement of Colamb villagers seeking to defend their land and agricultural livelihood, group of over 200 villagers stormed into the Fomento mines TC No. 06/1949 and forced to shut down two of its operating units in Colamb village.

According to the reports received villagers entered the Khodidas Hiralal mine operated by Goa corporate house of Fomentos at 11.00am today January 21, 2008. Mining company was prepared to tackle the situation as it brought in 6 bouncers (Goons) from the nearby Cacora-Sanvordem area with three bike bearing registration numbers GA08 5408, GA08 2464, and GA08 D6504. The strategy of the mining company was not to involve the police and deal with the protesting villagers by the application of private muscle power. (It remains to be seen as to how Goa Police deals with the Goons brought to the mining site to threaten the villagers or is it going to be the story as usual: favour and encourage mining mafia.) The strategy however failed due to presence of over 200 villagers and also their supporters from different parts of Goa. The supporters included Arun Madgaonkar, Vithal Khandeparkar and Kalidas Savaikar.

The first thing that the villagers did was gave half an hour deadline to the mining company to shut down its operations. Written letter to this effect was also handed over the mining company by the villagers. Earlier the letter to this effect was served on the State administration on December 10 2007 by Gawda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED) during the Human Rights Day Rally. Reminder was again served on the administration a week ago. However administration chose to doze off rather than act against the erring mining companies.

When the request was turned down that the mob entered the mine and forced the machinery not only to shut down but also to dismantle the same. Machinery in both the units was forced dismantled. The staff in the screening unit fled from the seen anticipating villagers attack so there was no one working on the site when the villagers raided the mining premises. By 12.30 pm the entire mining plant was shut down and pleasing silence descended. Menacing dozers, rippers and trucks was silenced by this gutsy courage of the villagers.

Police came to the scene only when the villagers had done their job and were returning home from the mines. Four Police Jeeps with around 40 police personnel were heading towards the controversial mine. Police Chief from Quepem Police Station tried to coerce the villagers to send in 10 member delegation to the mining company’s office to talks. Of course this offer was not only turned down but police was told that in case they want to talk to the villagers than they must come to the village and express themselves. Police then calmed down from their high pedestal and came into the village with a proposal that they want to convene the meeting of the villagers and mining company in the presence of the Collector. This offer too was politely refused by pointing to the futility of such interactions in the past. Police had faced wrath of the villagers on December 10 2007 when GAKUVED led a morcha (protest march) against Quepem Police Station.

Villagers after this victory are keeping continues vigil over the situation; for under their village lies black gold called iron ore and magnesium and corporate have divided 1929 hectares of this village into 22 mining leases covering 1510 hectares, leaving only 419 hectares for the village. That will be covered under mining dumps and occupied by Forest department as reserved forest to be free from people but gifted in exchange of few brief cases to the mining companies.

With this action of the villagers of Colamb direct action just addition to December 11 2007 direct attack on mines by Cavrem villagers in Quepem taluka.

Fomentos are one of the most notorious business houses as far as their Environment record goes. Politically it shares very close family ties with the present days rulers of Goa. Co-option is done through sponsoring of Dinner parties in its five star hotel Cidade de Goa on Bambolim Coast in North Goa. Wonder when the better sense will prevail upon the Goa’s mining elites? It is better that it prevails soon or situation will force into sensible mode and try them for all the nefarious land usurpations, ecological crimes and economic swindlings.

For the moment it is time for small celebration even while we recall the way Fomentos used Forest department and other state administration to further its will. Of course other mining companies are doing the same. This time this corporate rat is in the movement’s net!

COLAMB VILLAGERS STRUGGLE: PHOTOGRAPHIC PIP INTO 2007

We are towards the end of the third week of 2008, and yet memories and heroic struggles that pitched at new heights in 2007 in Colamb Sanguem, Goa is only too fresh in our minds. One particular mining company that attracted people’s wrath has been the Fomentos; though its mines under lease TC No. 6 of 1949 covering 70.1870 hectares granted by colonial State of Portugal to Hiralal Khodidas continues its operation till, signs of discontents are increasing day by day and it is only a matter of time before the industry and the Government of Goa and India are forced to rethink India’s mineral policy that is currently nothing more than dig, wash and sell to China (Earlier in the decades of 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s it was Japan).

The mining industry through its agent Fomentos have been involved in massive scale torments and insult to the dignity of Colamb villagers - many of them adivasis. Mining has badly destroyed their agriculture, ripped apart their shelter like the case of Devki KatuVelip, and so many other mischief such as siltation of water bodies and agricultural lands, drying up of natural water springs, unbearable sound pollution due to machinery operated in Open Cast Iron Ore mine, subversion of democratic institutions like letting the mining company operate weigh bridge without permission and the list could go on endless.

Colamb village is at the crossroads. Mining industry with its 22 mining leases seeks to gallop 1510 hectares of Colamb's total land of 1929 hectares. The total land that remains is 419 hectares, which with all probability will be covered with mining rejects. That means mining industry in Colamb alone is going to create additional over 2000 ecological refugees. Industry here seeks to repeat what it has done in north Goa’s villages such as Pale and Pissurlem. Fomentos like other mining companies such as Chowgules, Sesa Goa, Dempos, Damodar Mangaljis, and Salgaoncars have been highly generous in chopping down mountains, disrupting agriculture besides introducing alcoholism and goondaism in mining intensive villages. A locality like Sanvordem has given rise to mafia though in its nascent stage is brought to Colamb to quell the protestors. Of course not to speak of monetary allurements offered to the villagers along with offers of pouring funds in the religious activities including constructions of religious structures. Colamb villagers under these circumstances are left with difficult choice: either perish or stand in rebellion.


This Photo Essay of 2007 dedicated fantastic vigilance to defend their dignity and livelihood by Adivasis of Colamb:



This picture is of the open cast mine under operation in 2007. It is surrounded by lush Green Mountain: in fact it is located on one of these Western Ghats forests. Mining industry is a number one threat to these lungs of the planets earth. Goa’s forest department is at number two with its assertion of control over the forest away from the adivasi people and gift wrapping the same to mining companies in various manners.

This Picture is of the agriculture – paddy field in Colamb. Perhaps we may see this for the last time in the village before macro hunger strikes the village. Wonder if Fomentos will provide food from its five star hotel Cidade de Goa deepfreeze to Colamb villagers? For how long? At what price? There could not be any worse and nasty elites to any State in the world that humiliates the cultivation spaces of the food that mass of People are dependent, than bunch of mining elites of Goa including multinational Sesa Goa.

This picture shows live the mining brutalities that are doing away with Goas’ mountains forever in Colamb.

This Picture demonstrates as to how close is mining activity to the agriculture spaces in Colamb. Though the mining companies’ attempts to cool down by offering compensation in terms of cash, oncoming hunger will create history and destroy history. If State applies repression in the battle then it will be so much the easier of history to occur. So far this has been the case: mining company would hire Goa police to terrorize the determined villagers but it ended up further strengthening the movement as people organize like never before.

Mining company first broke open the cave and then tried to hide; still cave is showing openings in this picture.

This Picture proves that it is not just agriculture that is been targeted by mining trade but also the nature itself. Opening inside the mining pit is natural cave network existing underground. State government is guilty of letting mining company to play havoc with Goas’ natural cave heritage. After villagers repeated petitions State could depute only clerk for inspection on January 02, 2008!

Mining industry has been put under intensified watch by the affected people and adivasi organization Gawda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED) in 2007.

Colamb Villagers staged road blockade of trucks going on the mining site in 2007. Mining industry shamelessly tried to get State machinery in its favor. Ultimately peoples’ will prevailed and mining transport stopped from operating in this road. Instead it created another road for itself from the forest route!

Adivasi Women came out with all their might to block road and reclaim public spaces. Police were brought in to clear way mining industry. Goa Police in mining belt too often forgets that their salaries are paid from taxes paid by public and they must refrain from causing humiliations to public only because they have told to do so by bosses of the mining industry in exchange of few perks such as additional petrol, diesel and few currency notes time and again. Police must think before acting as to whom they stand to serve: Public or Mining industry? Police are only equal citizens of this country and they must behave honorably and support movement for survival of people and their land from mining vultures.

Police are regular visitors to Colamb village in 2007. Their purpose very often has been to silence those individuals that stand in defense of their land, agriculture, water and the very life itself. Police have tough choice to make in 2008: either to be one with struggling people of Colamb and stand in defense of life or to be with mining industry and be agents of draught and death. Each policeman and policewomen including those officers from State secret intelligence agencies that visit Colamb almost every alternate day do have option to make now before it is too late.