Sirgaon Mining: State of groundwater as per NEERI report

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute based in Nagpur presented and invstigative report titled "Assessment of the depletion of ground water sources and land degradation in Sirgaon vilalge, Goa and mitigation measures" in March 2009 to the Goa bench of Bombai High Court, Panaji in respons to Sirgaon villagers Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Below are extacts from the report's page numbers 53-54.

Results and Discussions

On the basis of the data made available by the mining companies, secondary data from CGWB, interaction with the villagers and the primary data collected by NEERI team during the field visits, the following findings emerge from the present study.

i) The dug wells in Sirigaon village are getting dried up by Decemebr 08. In fact, many wells are getting dried up by October also.

ii) Most of the wells have hardly 1-2m of water column even in the month of October though the region receives significant rainfall (2000-25000mm).

iii) The mining has gone to the level of -30 to -40 m (amsl) by all the three mining companies namely M/s Rajaram Bandekar (Sirigaon) Mines, M/s Chowgule & Company and M/s Dempo mining company. The levels were confirmed by the reduced level survey undertaken by the surveyor engaged by NEERI.

iv) The wells inventorization and the subsequent reduced level survey indicated that the water table in the village is in the range 1.5-3.0 m (amsl) whereas the mining has gone to the level of -30 to -40 m (amsl). Hence, movement of the groundwater from the village side to the mining pit is possible in the case there is hydraulic connectivity between the village and the mine pit.

v) During the field visits, seepage from mine pit wall was visible fro all the three mine pit. This is evident from the field photographs (Plate 2.8) in respect of Chowgule and M/s Dempo pvt. Ltd. The seepage was more prominent in case of Dempo pit (Plate 2.9 and Plate 2.10). Though seepage was not visible in case of Bandekar (Sirigaon) ltd, it is possible that it may be masked by the water column in the pit itself.

vi) All the wells in the Sirigaon village have very shallow depth in the range of 4 m to 8 m. The lithologs provided by the mining companies indicate that the lateritic zone (water bearing) is in the range of 10-12 m. It is evident that the water scarcity in the wells is partly accentuated due to the shallow depth of wells.

vii) In view of the water scarcity experienced in the village dug wells, it is necessary that a comprehensive mitigation programme be initiated to ensure sufficient water in their wells. The significant rainfall in the area is definitely a boon to the villagers. The quality of water pumped from pit is also if good quality except turbidity and iron content on few occasion. A comprehensive programme incorporating roof top rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge is recommended for rejuvenation of the aquifer in the Village. The detailed roadmap for artificial recharge and roof top rainwater harvesting is outlined in Chapert 4 of the report.

Sirigao: NEERI Report to High Court - Executive Summery

Nagpur based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) under Council of Scietific & Industrial Research of the Government of India submitted to the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court, Panaji, the Investigation report in March 2009 after being directed to do so by the Honourable High Court on the Public Interest Litigation of Sirgaon villagers (PIL No. 1/2008, dated 16th June 2008). The title of this 110 page report is "Assessment of the depletion of ground water sources and land degradation in sirigaon vilalge, Goa and mitigation measures". The executive summery is reporduced below in public interest

• The present study is an outcome of the directives of the Honourable Mumbai High Court at Goa (PIL No. 1/2008) to focus on the alleged depletion of water resources, degredation of agricultural fields’s vis-ả-vis the mining activity in Sirirgaon village (Bicholim Taluka) in the North Goa District.
• The study area (60 sq. km) has been delieanated on the basis of watershed and covers the working mining pits of the three mining companies namely M/s Dempo Mining Corporation Pvt Ltd., M/s. Rajaram Bandekar (Sirigaon) Mines Pvt. Ltd. And M/s Chowgule and Company Pvt. Ltd. It covers most of the dug wells in the Sirigaon village.
• The study area is covered by the Survey of India (SOI) toposheet No. 48E/14/SE (scale 1:25,000). The elevation in the village outside the mining pit varies from 0.095 m to 8.639 m.
• The topography in the nearby Sirigaon village has been altered significantly due to the open cast mining activity. The topographic highs which were present earlier have now been removed during the mining activity and large depressions have been created in the form of Mine pits. In view of the sustained mining activity, depressions have been created with the bottom level varying between -20 m (amsl) to 43 m (amsl).
• Goa receives rainfall from the Southwest monsoon and spans four months i.e. from June to September. The rainfall data for the last five years indicate that the average annual rainfall is approximately 2846 mm out of which 2785 mm is contributed by the south west monsoon.
• The Geology of the study area comprises of laterites followed by manganeferous clay. The manganeferous clay is underlain by iron ore formation. The thickness of laterites varies from 3 m to 15 m as evident in the lithologs provided M/s Chowgule & Company Private limited and M/s Rajaram Bandekar (Sirigaon) Mines Pvt. Ltd. The laterites are followed by manganeferous clay which is followed by limonitic clays.
• The iron ore formations underlie the clay formations. The iron ore formations vary from friable ore to powedery ore. At places, friable ore is followed by powdery ore though friable ore is absent at many places and only powdery ore is encountered. The available lithologs provided by M/s Chowgule and Company Pvt. Ltd. Indicates that the thickness of powdery ore zone varies from 10 m to 32 m in one of their drilling sites.
• The top lateritic formation constitutes the unconfined aquifer in the study area. The zone comprising the ore body serves as the confined aquifer. The unconfined aquifer is tapped for extraction of water. All the dug wells located in the Sirigaon village are tapping the unconfined aquifer only.
• Field visits were undertaken for assessing the water resources in the village in months of August, October and December 2008. Inspection was made for design and implementation of the recharge structures for augmentation of water resources in the month of January 2009. Observation well network was established for measurement of water levels and collection of samples for physicochemical and heavy metal analysis. It is observed that the water table in August’2008 varied from 0.50 m to 6.55 m. In October 2008 and December 2008, it varied from 0.90 m to 10.30 m and 2.70 m to 9.70 m respectively. The groundwater scenario was worse in December 08, when almost all the dug wells in Sirigaon village had dried up. However, the wells from nieghbouring villages had water column even in the month of December, 08.
• The mine pit water levels for all the three mines is below -20 m (amsl). The flow direction is indicative of water flow from the aquifer to the mine pit. Water seepage to the pit from the mine wall on the village side is also noticed during the field visits. Schematic diagram of ground water profile in the Sirigaon and mine area is presented in the Figure.
• The deepening of the mines has led to loss of recharge area for the dug wells seated at the foot hills of the plateau. Hence, the water scarcity in the viallge dug wells is attributed to the loss of recharge area as well as the deepening of the mine.
• Water samples were collected from the mining pit of the three companies and dug wells of the Sirigaon viallge. The water samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals levels. The analysis results indicate that the water quality is within permissible limits (BIS 10500:1991) for drinking water as well as for irrigation purpose as per the guidelines (BIS 11624:1986)
• Groundwater balance study was carried out for the Sirigaon village. It is established that the requirement of the village can be met by undertaking artificial recharge scheme in a holistic way. Roof top rain water harvesting, water absorption trench, sub-surface dykes and bentonite grout have been proposed for artificial recharge and control of water seepage to the mine pits.
• The State Government has provided organized piped water supply scheme to the Sirigaon village
• Artificial recharge schemes have been commissioned recently on a small scale by M/s Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt. Ltd. And M/s Chowgule and Company Pvt. Ltd. During the field visits it was observed that the recharge to the nearby dug wells was very insignificant.
• Roof top rainwater harvesting is proposed as Priority I to address the water scarcity problem in the village. Creation of recharge trench and control of mine water seepage are advocated as Priority II. Aquifer storage recovery (ASR) by construction of sub-surface dyke is proposed aas priority III. It is suggested that the artificial recharge of ground water is initiated stepwise. Roof top rainwater harvesting, if not adequate, is to be followed by the construction of recharge trench. Priority III is the last alternative.
• An estimated cost of Rs.660.25 lakhs will be incurred towards installation of the comprehensive recharge schemes to address the water scarcity in the village. The estimate includes the cost towards DPR preparation, maintenance charges and the post-project monitoring charges.
• Soil samples were collected from the silt affected area as well as the control sites. The collected soil samples were characterized for various physicochemical and microbiological parameters (such as bulk density, texture, pH, exchangeable calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, available N, P, K, heavy metals and enumeration of different soil microbes).
• The soil analysis results indicate that the silt deposition from the mining overburdens has degraded the soil fertility in the agricultural fields of Sirigaon village.
• Proper slope stabilization needs to be carried out in the mining areas to minimize runoff of the overburden dump material to the nearby agricultural fields.
• Integrated Biotechnological Approach (IBA) is suggested as mitigation measures for restoring the soil quality of the silt affected area. The cost estimated for remediation of silt affected soil by implementation of IBA technology has been worked out to be approximately 1.8 lakhs per hectares area which includes the material costs, land preparation cost and labour cost etc.

From Niyamgiri: Rise Aflame

Wednesday 19 August 2009, by Suhas Borker in Mainstream, Delhi

We were born free
this is our land
this is our forest
this is our river
this is our mountain
and deep beneath the stone on the mountain-top
rages the timeless sacred fire of our dignity.

On to this
you cast your ‘development’ spell
to steal our freedom
and spell death
for our beliefs, values and culture.

Can you mine our God?
Can you defile our Nature?
We shall resist you
resist we shall
until we make you powerless.
The instruments you wield
shall come to naught
because you cannot steal our faith.

You shall never know what happened
but happen it shall.

From Niyamgiri shall rain flags of fire
which the waters of Vamshadhara shall carry aloft
into our hearts and we shall rise
aflame with blades of glistening sweat
to reap the harvest of our struggle.

We shall be free again
Again we shall be free.

August 3, 2009
New Delhi Suhas Borker

[Suhas Borker is an independent documentary filmmaker and convener of the Working Group on Alternative Strategies based in New Delhi. He can be e-mailed at suhasborker@gmail.com]

Panel flays 3 depts for illegal mining in State

PANJIM, AUG 23
The ad-hoc committee on mines has flayed the three departments — Directorate of Mines, Forest Department and Goa State Pollution Control Board for the illegal mining in the State.

The committee, which has tabled its first report claimed that “these departments have been passing the buck when it came to illegal mining.”

“The State of Goa would not have faced this problem of illegal mines and pollution if these departments had to perform their duties responsibly,” the report says.

Further, report says, it is well taken that the Directorate of Mines looks after the enforcement of the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act, 1957), the Mineral Concession Rules I960, both of which are Central Legislations.

“...But the Directorate could have very well suggested necessary amendments to MoEF and other Ministries concerned. It should have been the responsibility and duty of Directorate of Mines to check that the mining activity is not done without environmental clearance and other required permissions,” the committee says.

The report also says action should have been taken against mining operations that continue without environmental clearance and other NOCs.

“It was the moral responsibility of the department to close down or cancel licences/lease of mines, whenever the mining rejects and other mining wastes posed threat/caused damage to paddy fields, fruit bearing crops, drinking water sources and other water bodies within the vicinity of mines,” the committee says.

The fact that the deemed clause is being misused by many in the mining sector is known to all the departments. Yet none of the above departments came forward to put an end to this. This could be because those who could stop this were hand in glove with the mining lobby, the members of the committee observed.

The Committee feels that the Government should try to make up for its failure to control the illegal mining activities by passing strictures, amending the existing State and Central legislations pertaining to mining and related issues.

The Committee feels that all mining operations in the State, with or without valid mining lease concession, should be stopped.

Herald, Panjim, August 24, 2009

Goa draft policy permits mining near sanctuaries

PANJIM, AUG 23
Even as 13 mines including six which are close to wildlife sanctuaries, are facing closure, the Goa government’s draft mineral policy interestingly allows mining in close vicinity of the already notified wildlife sanctuaries in Goa.

The draft mining policy which was tabled during the Budget Session of the Goa legislative assembly clearly advocates mining near the State’s wildlife sanctuaries, which are a part of the ecologically sensitive Western ghats, according to an IANS report.

“Mining leases/prospecting licences within close proximity from already declared wild life sanctuaries would be considered provided they adhere to additional safeguards and guidelines whilst operating so as to reduce any adverse effect to the environment,” the draft mining policy states.

After Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira gave an assurance to take action against illegal operations of mines, the Pollution Control Board issued closure notices.

Earlier the committee headed by Chief Conservator of Forest Sashi Kumar had named some mines which had blatant violation including operating without permission of the statutory authorities. The draft policy however, does not permit mining within wildlife sanctuaries and national parks ‘for the time being’.

“The State government is also of the view that while it is necessary to earmark mining areas, presently no prospecting leases should be allotted in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Similarly, no prospecting leases on wetlands should be allowed for the time being,” the document states.

The draft policy also aims to evolve a mechanism to ensure that numerous dormant non-operational leases issued by the Portuguese government, which ruled Goa, before the State was liberated in 1961.“A number of mining concessions are being kept idle for speculative purposes and future mining… The State government is also concerned with issues of conservation of minerals as well as sustainable development and as such would discourage opening existing dormant leases uniformly,” the draft policy states, adding that no such dormant leases would be permitted to work without an environmental clearance and forest clearance, wherever required.

Interestingly, while the State government’s draft mining policy clearly advocates mining within close proximity of wildlife sanctuaries, it also speaks of maintaining the ecological balance in the State.The draft mining policy is the brainchild of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who is also the minister for mining, the agency report said.

“It would be the endeavour of the State government to ensure that mining activities do not create an adverse impact to the environment and ecology,” it states.

Herald, Panjim, August 24, 2009

Facing local protests: where Vedanta’s erring

Vedanta would do well to pay attention to protests. It bought Mitsui and Co.’s majority stake in Sesa Goa Ltd, a major iron ore extractor and exporter, in 2007

http://www.livemint.com/2009/08/12211913/Facing-local-protests-where-V.html?h=B

Root Cause Sudeep Chakravarti

There was a flap in the last week of July when human rights battleaxes, among them writer Arundhati Roy and former rock-star spouse Bianca Jagger, cut into Vedanta Plc in London. Timed around the UK-based metals and mining conglomerate’s annual general meeting, protesters included a representative of the Dongria Kondh tribe from Orissa. They were criticizing a bauxite mining project in the region of Niyamgiri by a joint venture in which a subsidiary of Vedanta has “controlling” interest.

The grouse of Roy, Jagger and partners is pressing: If you mine in that area, the tribe will lose a home. For the tribe, the issue has taken on added poignancy: The Niyamgiri Hills are sacred to the Dongria Kondh.

In the contentious, increasingly relevant universe where business, human rights, tradition and emotion intersect with urgency, this is a big deal. It’s not unlike a move from some years ago when Sting, the megastar musician, made common cause with a Caiapó tribal chief from the Brazilian rainforests. If nothing else, it helped reduce the speed at which these forests—worthwhile beyond measure—are being lost.

The activists in London were hoping to hit Vedanta where it hurts, taking their message to influential investors such as the Church of England. (Those who still sneer at what activism can do in a networked world could recall the flak Nike took in the 1990s over its East Asian sweatshops. The same as finance, industry and business, activism and public opinion, too, benefit from shrinking time and space.)

For its part, Vedanta has not made a counter move, except to claim what businesses usually do at these times: display go-ahead paperwork; in this case, from the Supreme Court of India.

This signals the weight of the paper the order is written on, and potential millions of bauxite ore Vedanta will extract to feed its alumina factories. But, in terms of true resolution of conflict at the local level, it will have meant little.

If the corporation had cared, protests would not have happened. Convergence these days goes beyond the meeting ground of business and politics, or the point where the advice of consultancy “suits” merges with the ethical fig leaf of that much abused phrase—corporate social responsibility, or CSR—their clients look for. All too often, CSR is merged with another acronym—R&R, or resettlement and rehabilitation—without understanding the dynamics that operate in areas where a project, whether extractive or manufacturing, inevitably displaces people. This happens in a physical and economic sense; and emotional displacement that chief executive officers, business planners, accountants and engineers may not care to understand. (Perhaps the flaw in the concept of human resource has always been that, it is practised with those under a corporate umbrella, rarely with those adversely affected on account of a company’s activities.)

Businesses also feel strengthened, even invulnerable, if they are in partnership with a government entity—as is the case with Vedanta’s mining project in Niyamgiri. In these situations, the idea of eminent domain—that permits government to expropriate land for the greater good—is more often than not abused in spirit and execution, where resettlement always takes precedence over rehabilitation. It is no secret that state governments typically look to MoUs (memoranda of understanding) as a cocaine addict looks for the next energy high, signing billions of dollars worth, optioning a range of arrangements from tax breaks to clearing the intended patch of land, to what the Chinese so eloquently call “fragrant grease”. Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and West Bengal have proved particularly susceptible to MoUs and messing with eminent domain.

In these places, deliberate, lamentable misunderstandings lead to negative energy—the sort that local activists and their more aggressive cousins, Maoist rebels, are increasingly adept at leveraging. All these states are in the footprint of churn or violent resistance to business and administration. In Niyamgiri, protesters could join issue with any weapon at hand. Past a point of no return, they will not seek either judicial or administrative approval—or for that matter, celebrity endorsement.

Vedanta would do well to pay attention to protests. It bought Mitsui and Co.’s majority stake in Sesa Goa Ltd, a major iron ore extractor and exporter, in 2007. Sesa Goa is now engaged, along with other local operators such as the riotously controversial Sociedade de Fomento Industrial Pvt. Ltd, in staving off allegations of callousness in and around their Goa mines. This time next year, Vedanta could see Goan protesters in London.

Sudeep Chakravarti writes on issues related to conflict in South Asia. He is the author of Red Sun: Travels in Naxalite Country. He will write a fortnightly column on conflicts that directly affect business.

Respond to this column at rootcause@livemint.com

Note to Goa's Members of Parliament in Delhi

Bharatiya Janata Party funding from Goa Mining Companies during 2007-2008

V M Salgaonkar & Bros Pvt Ltd: Rs 72 Lakhs

VS Dempo and Co. Pvt Ltd, Goa: Rs 62.5 Lakhs

Chowgule Charitable Trust, Goa: Rs 60 Lakhs

Congress Party funding from Goa Mining Companies during 2007-2008

VM Salgaonkar & Bros Pvt Ltd: Rs 72.5 Lakhs

Chowgule Charitable Trust: Rs 72.5 Lakhs

Sesa Goa Ltd, Goa: Rs 27.5 Lakhs

VS Dempo and Co. Pvt Ltd, Goa: Rs 12.5 Lakhs

Dempo Mining Corporation: Rs 10 Lakhs

Above data is sourced from
http://www.travelindia-guide.com/elections-indian-lok-sabha/political-funding.php

So, one who pays the bagpiper calls the tune. It is now explainable as to why Goa's all the three Members of Parliaments are sitting quietly even while Goa continues to be ravaged by nefarious mining industry. They are busy sucking their left hand thumb and deriving intense pleasure out their sojourn. Well done Fransisco Sardinha! Well done Shripad Naik! Well done Shantaram Naik! Enjoy your thumb sucking till the end of your tenure in the Parliament. After all Goa's mining companies has been your Parties financial lifeline - Amongst top ten funders. Never mind about everything. Your slumber in the midst of eco-cide of Goa's villages and Forest cover is truly legendary. Keep it up boys! Keep believing yourselves that you'll are still in 8th standard and need to be monitored all the while! kudos to you'll. It is so surprising that even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh admits that Environmental Clearances in Ministry of Environment and Forest has become major hotbed of corruption and three of you'll continue to suck your thumbs!

Please get up and speak up! Please ask publicly Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh to cancel all the mining Environmental Clearances in Goa. Please remember, your parties may be funded by mining companies from Goa but remember survival Goa, its rich sources of fresh water and pristine nature is a priority over petty issue closer to your hearts - Funding by mining companies to your respective Political Parties. And if you'll fail to speak up now then please resign from your post and stop being burden on public exchequer. If you'll don't commit intelligently to stop this monstrous industry from reigning free hand then every thing else you'll do is null and void.

Please learn some lessons from Goa's Chief Minister Digambar Kamat who in spite of everything including his son-in-law in mining business did took delegation to Delhi few days back and raised the issue. Please over took that his team was full of ignorant chaps and performed badly by asking Central government to curb illegal mining when State government is legally authorised to do it itself! Digambar Kamat's delegation made complete fool of themselves. But still they deserve encouragement for making that effort and taking initiative at least!

Please also take take lessons from all the MLAs - including Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar in Goa Legislative Assembly - spoke up questioning mining industry. Though there was no cutting edge into their arguments yet it deserves appreciation. Mine operator and Sanvordem MLA Anil Salgaonkar was at least pushed on the back foot forced to lie on the floor of the Assembly that none of the mining rejects are flowing into any of the rivers and their tributaries in Goa! What all of them missed to question is nefarious role of Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao in mining belt. Manohar Parrikar appears to have studied pact with Alemaos as a Political Strategy that is bound to back fire on his if he continues to move along this line. All of them also missed to demand that all the mines in Goa that are not in operation for more than two years; leases be cancelled. They made lots of noise to gains publicity - that is also very good by the way! But the ground situation continues to worsen with every passing day and Goa MLAs are at least began to assert ownership of their tongues. I wish them all success and power! Please do not stop there. You'll have to go further. Please probe mining industry further and further assert ownership over your tongues. It will help you'll to regain you respect and dignity. You'll as a politicians are living with public money and if you'll don't perform to your best and in the best interest of the people of Goa then history will record you'll as betrayers and Universe will treat you'll accordingly. Remember every time you'll cheat public you'll first cheat yourselves. You'll have taken immense responsibility to do public good and please stay on your track in spite of destruction from lure of the mining industry. And you MLA Victoria Fernandes, please get your family out of mining business. It is undoing all the good that you have done all your life. It is my humble request as well as a prayer. Overall Goa MLAs are waking up and it is good sign. We wish them all the courage to be honest and bold.

Goa's Members of Parliament please wake up! Goa is watching your every move. Please realize your power and realize your politics. Please acknowledge your funders, please understand plight of People of Goa. Mining is a catastrophe that has already struck and you'll need to play your most responsible role possible. Remember we will never be tired of reminding you again and again if all three of you'll still believe you'll are thumb sucking babies. Please mature, please grow up, please rise up to the occasion!

Be Political! Be Decisive! Be Transparent!

Sebastian Rodrigues

State favours amendments to EIA

Wants people’s view at public hearings respected
By Herald Reporter
PANJIM, AUG 19 As the central government has been unilaterally granting Environmental Clearances for mining in the State, the Goa government has sought amendments to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 so that people’s views at public hearings are respected and that more powers are given to State Pollution Control Board to decide on environment concerns.

A memorandum highlighting the issue of environmental clearances was submitted to the Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh when a delegation led by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat called on him in New Delhi yesterday. The delegation included Forest Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Minister for Environment Aleixo Sequeira, Chief Conservator of Forest Dr Sashi Kumar, Chairman of Goa State Pollution Control Board, Dr Simon de Souza and Director of Science, Technology & Environment Michael D’Souza.It is stated in the memorandum that amendment to EIA notification is necessary as there is a general apprehension that the central ministry is somewhat indifferent to the ground realities of the state of Goa particularly in issuing environmental clearances to the mining industry.

Inspite of local ecological, socio-economic and cultural objections which are recorded during the Environmental Public Hearings (EPH), the Expert Advisory Committee of MoEF has chosen to grant clearances.

The memorandum also made reference to the objections raised at such public hearings. These include that the EIA studies are erroneous and not always factually correct. The public have also expressed that they have never noticed any agency conducting or carrying out ambient air quality monitoring, ground water/surface water monitoring and noise monitoring at locations stated in the EIA study.More importantly, the objections raised by the public in public consultations have not been considered while granting Environmental Clearance by the union ministry of environment and forest and except in two cases, all the projects have been granted Environmental Clearances, the memorandum signed by Aleixo Sequeira said.

Interestingly, it has been mentioned that since 2003, around 141 Environmental Clearances have been granted for a small state like Goa and that too predominantly in four talukas of the state – namely Bicholim, Sanguem Sattari and Quepem.

The State government’s or the Goa State Pollution Control Board’s views do not find place in the whole procedure and process, the memorandum says.

AS per the provisions of EIA Notification 2006, State Pollution Control Board has to publish an advertisement on public hearing within seven days of receipt of the application and after the hearing, the minutes are to be forwarded to the union ministry. The state pollution control board has not been provided with any role as per the notification. As such, the Goa government made a strong case for amending it so that the State pollution control board is empowered to act and advise the central ministry accordingly.

CLUSTER MINING: It has been observed that each mine individually carries out EIA study when in many places mining is carried out in clusters.“Hence such clusters should be identified and a combined EIA study should be carried out for mines operating in these talukas”, the memorandum says.The role of regional office of MoEF can also be undertaken by the Board which will help resolve many a monitoring issues and curb unhealthy mining practices.

20 August 2009, Herald, Panjim

NEAA directed to re-hear Sarvan mining case

Ramesh Gauns's Petition before the Delhi High Court against the order of the NEAA dismissing his appeal got a rebirth with the High Court directing on 12-3-2009 that the NEAA to re hear the matter once again since the issues relating to the merits of the case were not covered by the NEAA in its order.

This is an important case whereby the Ministry of Environment and Forest granted clearance to a project where the Public Hearing got conducted before the approved EIA report was prepared !

The Delhi High Court took a serious view of the casual manner in which Appeals after appeals were dismissed by the NEAA without much application of mind. The Chief Justice also acknowledged the fact that the Public hearings have become a mockery and the NEAA has become a hopeless institutions.

The project proponent also assured the High Court that they will not commence mining in Sarvona village, Goa till the decision of the NEAA on the issue.

The case is now listed for hearing on the 1st of September.

Day after tomorrow two cases filed by Ramesh Aggarwal (one relates to Monnet Ispat with respect to faulty public hearing and the other related to Scania Project at Chattisgarh again on grounds of faulty EIA) are listed for final hearing before the Delhi High Court. These will be heard along with the Petition against Vedanta (coordinated by Shankar Pani of Vasundhara) on the issue of who is an aggrieved person under the NEAA Act,1997.

There are lots happening out here and I will share the same (and hopefully positive outcome) with all members !

Ritwick

As circulated on western-ghats@googlegroups.com on August 18 2009

They Want to Silence the Voice!

PETER FERNANDES calls upon us to ensure that our voice is not silenced in the face of injustice and wrongdoing

Herald, Panjim, 17th August 2009

It has been said that a right is not what someone gives you; it is what no one can take from you. Freedom of speech is our fundamental right. The use of this right is our duty; and with it comes responsibility. Every democracy must uphold this freedom for the welfare of its citizens and the prosperity of the land. The voice of the people is a cry for growth and well-being of all; and it weeps in condemnation when government makes wrong and immoral decisions. This fundamental right is the indicator by which the health of the state is checked, to prevent it from being corrupted and corroded. The minute government tries to snap the voice of the people, it shows that something dreadful is occurring.

Power corrupts! This is an age-old saying, rich in wisdom. It continues, “And, absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Needless to say, power is not given up without a struggle. The power-grabbers are terrified by the voice of the common man, the voice which probes their faulty conscience and exposes their insincerity. Most dictators have been successful in holding on to their power because they controlled and manipulated the media, and silenced the voice of the people. Our history bespeaks loudly and clearly of tyrants, and the dark eras in which humanity suffered untold humiliations and anguish, for the exact reason that the voice of the people was silenced. Be bold, and never yield your freedom of speech! Never forget, history repeats itself if lessons are not learnt in time. Despite the horrifying past, our present is no different, even in the face of education and advancement of civilization. Humanity continues to suffer under wicked leaders in this day and age.

Indira Gandhi played foul during the 1971 elections, for which she was indicted by the Allahabad High Court. The court set aside her election to Parliament in 1971. This meant she would lose power as prime minister. To silence the voice of justice, she declared an emergency, in order to hold on to power and cover her misdeeds. During the nineteen months of suspension of democracy, she silenced the voice of freedom and truthfulness, by imprisoning thousands of leading citizens without warrant or trials. Democracy in India was on the brink of death, because cowardly demagogues smothered the voice of the people.

“Silence the voice!” This frightening scenario, utterly disturbing and disheartening, permeates our State of Goa. Many noble souls in the past have raised their voices to challenge the status quo of corruption that has vitiated the atmosphere for the worse. A few did succeed in keeping their heads high, several intimidations by our elected leaders and their goons. Nevertheless, several others, swayed by the might of money and muscle power of our leaders, quashed their voices. Nowadays, they employ similar tactics to wipe out the wrong they have done, by silencing the voice of conscience. These elected politicos do not really represent the voice of the people and their right to be heard – on the contrary, in fact, for they sink their heads in the swamp of corruption, where decency and truth do not reside, and they are threatened by any voice that summons their conscience.

I flipped through a few pages of our history books. These pages recalled the vivid and painful history of Goa. It was during the language agitation, when the whole of Goa rose with a single voice to make Konkani the official language of Goa. The then Chief Minister, who is the present Speaker, along with pro-Marathi colleagues, tried to silence the voice of the people of Goa. However, many of our brothers and sisters fearlessly gave their blood, and did not allow their voice to be silenced. How do we recall and remember these martyrs, and the entire language movement? Has anyone apologized? What about retribution for the people of Goa for the loss of life and property? Should not these leaders be put on trial for their crimes against humanity?

People of Goa recognize the importance of their voice. This voice can be heard now in every nook and corner of Goa. For too long a time, being unmindful of the evil plots of their leaders, this voice remained still and silently tolerant. The elected leaders, without giving it a second thought, unleashed their corruption, which has saturated every fibre of the fabric of our society. Suddenly, with each passing day, politicians are conscious of the voice of truth echoing everywhere, which agitates and disturbs them. This scenario explains the recent outburst, which provided for all concerned citizens a hearty laugh at the expense of our leaders.

Today, every Gram Sabha turns into pandemonium. This is a syndrome of a much more serious malady which has engulfed our society. Those of the administration and government are in their positions because we hired them to work for us. Why then do the elected representatives not give heed to the voice of the citizen? Why do they desire to suppress and trample this liberty? The infrastructure is crumbling before our eyes, as the crime rate escalates beyond imagination, and our leaders are gleefully washing their hands in a dirty bowl of their own crimes. Yet, they have the audacity to silence the media. How long will you delay, and how many gruesome crimes must be committed, before this touches your core? We sit on a time bomb. Are you waiting for it to explode and extinguish our society forever? Goans are now well aware of these evil plans which will lay to waste our beloved state. This explains why people are opposed to mega housing projects, SEZs, Mopa airport, Sports City, unbridled mining, and casinos.

It is critical for our citizens to vigorously exercise their freedom of speech and voice their dissatisfaction and vexation, and to hold their leaders responsible. At the same time, it is equally crucial for the elected representatives to hear and listen to the populace, and address their anxieties and ire with mutual respect for reviving Goa, and rebuilding a healthy society. We have a mammoth role to play in the liberty our democracy assures us. Those who are afraid of the voice of the people, who will not let their voice be strong, have something to hide and, in their arrogance and disregard for all, have betrayed their own conscience. They have placed their selfish interests above the long-term benefits of our state.

We have seen the people of the villages come out on the streets, for the government to hear their united voice against mega housing projects, SEZs, Mopa airport, Sports City, unbridled mining, and casinos. Most admirable! Without hesitation, do not allow anyone to quash your voice now. It would be the greatest menace to our freedoms to give the go-ahead to politicians to rise up and put shackles on gullible citizens! Free speech is the deadliest enemy of a tyrant. Equally potent support is needed to punish the guilty, those who have committed detestable crimes against humanity. Neither rely on our government, nor be deluded by false promises, for they are hand-in-glove with the guilty. How we exercise our liberty will ultimately determine if our freedoms survive. Our individual voices may be feeble, but when united with the entire community, we can bring down the Walls of Jericho!