Press note on Vedanta Bicholim mime

Appeal No. 30 of 2024 has been filed against Vedanta Ltd Challenging Environmental Clearance to Bicholim Mines, Goa

These are the following grounds

Mining Lease wrt Survey No. 25 canot be enforceable. As Survey No. 25 is Lamgao Lake, a wet land. This can not be used as a settling pond. Mining in water body is strictly prohibited.(Rejoinder Para-6)

Vedanta suppressed its previous illegal mining in its present Bicholim Mining Lease Area. In response to the Para 4 ‘Miscellaneous’ 4.6 of the TOR, state of Goa gave in its clarificatory Letter gave false information regarding illegal mining. 

Lamgao Lake is completely destroyed due to illegal mining by PP. No action Plan in EIA to protect the Lake.

Vedanta Ltd was selected as the preferred bidder in the said auction for Block I Bicholim mineral block and accordingly LOI was issued to Vedanta Ltd. As per the MoEF&CC EAC minutes of meeting, in case of LOI grant it is classified as green field and hence in the EIA it has been mentioned as green field. There is no hiding of facts as alleged by the speaker/ goa foundation, as the earlier pits can be seen in the surface plan which is provided as plate no 5 of EIA. (1313)

No Cumulative impact assessment was done properly. Page-19

Suppression of presence of 13 lakes inside mining lease Area. PAGE -18,Para-2

The PP encroached upon the Communidade land without permission to transport the vehicles loaded with Iron Ore. Page-17, Para 12

No dedicated company's own road to connect 900 metre Public Road for Transportation of ore Page-15

Baseline data forged one, manipulated during corona Period page 21, para 4

Public Hearing not done properly. Google Map wrt the distance of venue not as close proximity of the PP Area. (Page-11) page-36

Bicholim river is completely silted due to illegal mining. No action Plan in EIA to protect it.(Page-17)

Adv. B. Ranjan Paramguru

Ramesh Gauns

Parasailing distrupts fishing in Zuari river

 

Reports have come in that parasailing tourism boats operating from Vaiginim Beach within Talegao Panchayat Jurisdiction is increasingly creating obstructions for small scale fishing communities.

Promoted from Cidade de Goa hotel currently operated by Tatas for touristic adventure scares away fish from Zuari river with the sound of high capacity motors upto 25 HP attached.

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union has already petitioned to the Tourism Department, Captain of Ports and the Fisheries Department expressing the opposition to the parasailing boats that sometimes intrude as interior as Siridao beach.

Tourism is Goa is has turned into menace in Goa and it is becoming menace in Goa's maritime waters too. This trend must be halted now.

Sand mining in Mandovi river as encountered...

[22/11, 10:06 pm] Sebastian Rodrigues: Two canoes illegaly extracting sand near Vanxim Ferry boat now at 10.05 pm.

[22/11, 10:36 pm] Sebastian Rodrigues: Cops from Old Goa came and stood at Divar Ferry Jetty at 10.30 pm. And said they cannot see any lights of the boats in the river. How can lights be seen when they are operating with light off?

Police concluded that no sand mining is going on and went back. 

They further Said that even if they had to see then they would not be able to do anything as they don't have boats to go the water.

Police said that at the time of complaining it must be told at 112 emergency service to relay message to coastal security police station. 

This response and behavior is expected from Old Goa Police Station as those carrying on sand mining in Vanxim are directed from the very same Police station.

Earlier it was proved that leakage of information to sand mining operators in Mandovi is continues through one of the Police personel.

[23/11, 12:12 am] Sebastian Rodrigues: Cops from the Superitendent of Superitendent of Police (Coastal Security), Panjim reached Vanxin Ferry point, Divar at 11.55 pm, full two hours after the complaint. 

They too came in Jeep but they had torch with them. They flashed their torch in the river and concluded that there are no sand mining boats engaged in their action against law.

On verification it was found that indeed sand mining canoes had gone away Vanxim Ferry point.

Police took leave at 12.00 am. On concluding note they said they have to attend another sand mining complaint call somewhere. They claimed they are doing this for the country.

BMM extends support to agitating Pilgao farmers against Vedanta mining plunder

https://epaper.heraldgoa.in/article/oHeraldo?OrgId=2211da0185cb&eid=1&imageview=0&standalone=1&device=desktop

Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit express support and solidarity with farmers and villagers of Pilgao village in Goa's Bicholim taluka who have blocked transportation of iron ore from their paddy fields for past three days.

The bold step of the farmers and villagers of Pilgaon found support from State administration after Director of Mines admitted that Vedanta mining company has no dedicated road of its own to transport iron ore in trucks.

Vedanta Limited had submitted in their EIA Report that the company has dedicated road of its own to transport iron ore to access 900 meters public road connecting Sarmanas loading Jetty.

Vedanta has neither formal nor informal agreements with farmers to use paddy fields to move-in mining trucks.

Few months back Goa's Chief Minister had used police force to clear farmers blockades of the trucks in paddy fields. 

This Bicholim Mineral Block  I has leased 872 hectares of land for mining purpose for 50 years. This includes inland wetlands consisting of lakes in Lamgao and Mulgao and tributary of Mandovi river in Sirigao.

The dangerous aspect that got revealed in the process is complicit role of MoEF& CC and its Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) to entertain false information in the EIA report because of reasons best known to them.

Mining in Goa continues to a scam. Rs 35,000 crore was estimated by Justice Shah commission to have been robbed off but Goa Government haven't recovered the amount so far.

Corporate hand behind Cumbharjua MLA Video advocating Vanxim- Divar bridge?

Cumbharjua Member of the Goa Legislative Assembly transforming into ammunition of corporate arsenals is not a new feature. There used to be one Madkaikar who played that role for Ozone Leisue private limited during his tenure.

These days negotiations are on between Delhi based DLF and Bangalore based Ozone Leisure Private Limited on Vanxim. Ozone who got Vanxim land in their name from the office of Goa Archbishop via Mahendra Gaunekar now attempting to sell off the same to DLF. This is one of the most notorious land deals by the office of Goa Archbishop in Goa Church history.

We note that DLF personel are carrying on visits to Vanxim these days and parallely Cumbharjua MLA has got video vocal to construct bridge to Vanxim from Divar threby by ruining both the islands. 

https://youtu.be/nPjMm6btyWM?si=--NQ7SPb7BeoZ4to

It's plausible that the MLA has taken briefs to do, so that  real estate value of Vanxim Island can be hiked. Considering the history of said MLA recorded officially through the complaint of Amber Timblo in mining robbery case in Sanguem such shaddy deal comes naturally as legacy.

None who played around with Vanxim were spared in the past and none will be spared henceforth, not even the Cumbharjua MLA. Earlier he realizes better it is for him.

Is is now pretty clear that corporate has put in place sustained advocacy campaign team that includes Cumbharjua MLA, Goa Chief Minister and more. Yet people of Vanxim and Divar refuse to tolerate their aggression and will be  countered appropriately, jointly, come what may. We dare!

It must be noted that People of Vanxim vehemently opposed Vanxim - Divar bridge idea at the Sao Mathias Gram Sabha on Sunday 10 November 2024. Opposition to bridge has rattled corporate intentions and we now see who is cleaverly defending corporate camp: Cumbharjua MLA! He perhaps believes to his peril that he can fool every one with his handful of kitty tricks.

Who believes in promises of Politicians? 

Why Deepesh Naik supports mining industry?

https://youtu.be/pXqNJqeo4Xg?si=DRhHmugpW9dhtNJO

Dear Deepesh Naik,

You are wearing T-shirt "Save Goa Environment" and talking supporting mining? Take a tour to note the way mining has destroyed Goa's environment for more than half century. You can meet Ramesh Gauns, Rama Velip, Ravindra Velip, Adv. John Fernandes, Shamsunder Naik, Gurudas Gadekar, Sharmila Naik, Dument D'souza, Hanuman Parab, Ulhas Gaonkar to know more. They reside in Goa's mining belt.

Do you know how mining has disrupted Goa ground water, silted rivers, destroyed agriculture? Go to Sirgao and see for yourself. Do you know how much is water requirement for washing of the ore? Kudne mining EIA report notes that it will require 95,000 litres of water every day. From where this water will come? Check water requirement for all the several mineral blocks auctioned so far and you will get the picture. Have you ever read even single Mining EIA report? I am asking you this so that you don't take environmental destruction caused by mining in as casual manner as you did on this video. Do you know how many agricultural jobs are destroyed by mining over past half century?

Please don't make such statements on mining by wearing T-shirt claiming to save Goa Environment. It's sheer hypocrisy. We have no objections on what you spoke on other topics regarding land conversions etc.

Objection is only relating to your views on mining. 

Sharing this message publicly as a response to your statement. 

Sebastian Rodrigues

M: 9923336347

Chorao island face real estate menace, whats way out?

https://youtu.be/S15BhdxHfhI?si=CS8ieU8P6tEBliAh

People of Goa has ignored particular piece of history that Goa is annexed by India through conquest due to veto power exercised by Soviet Union on 18 December 1961 at UN security council. 

Consequence of this blunder is that Histroy is set to ignore and erase Goa from the World Map.

People in fight for land, fight for Romi Konkani language, fight for culture. And ignore fight for education to know how international powers conspired to unleash oppression against local people of Goa.

As long as people of Goa will continue to neglect this fight for education mighty tides of invasion of land, language, employment, culture will not reverse. Goa  known for its peace will continue to permanent abode of restlessness and lawless laws that snatch away land, language, jobs and employment. 

What's happening to Chorao island is an indicator of the writings on the wall.

Who will care to mark Goa Veto day on December 18 to address foundational problem of Goa?

Illegal Sand Mining in Mandovi river

Date: 04 November 2024

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Collector (North Goa)

Panaji, Goa

To,

Deputy Collector,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director,

Directorate of Mines and Geology,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Deputy Superitendent of Police,

Police Headquarters,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police 

(Coastal Security),

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Illegal Sand Mining in Mandovi river

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) brings to your urgent attention rampant illegal sand mining at night at various spots in Mandovi river such as Chorao river banks, Divar island banks, Vanxim Island banks, Naroa river bank, Tikhazan river bank etc.

Sand mining has destroyed marine ecology and disrupted fishing activities as well. AGSSRFU considers sand mining activities detrimental to fishing based livelihoods as river bad is badly damaged through sand mining.

Kindly initiate steps to prevent illegal sand extraction, illegal sand storage as well as illegal sand transportation through cannoes, trucks etc. 

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello,

President

Laximan Mangueshkar,

Secretary

Parasailing boats disrupt fishing activities in Zuari river

Date: 04 November 2024

To,

Director of Tourism,

Paryatan Bhavan,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director, 

Department of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Parasailing boats disrupt fishing activities in Zuari river

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union wish to bring to your attention that parasailing boats operating from five star hotel named Cidade de Goa at Vaiguinim beach is disrupting fishing activities by way of both sound pollution from their high powered motors as well as by cutting off fishing gillnet spread out in Zuari river.

These para-sailing boats enter Zuari river water upto Cacra village waterfront. These para-sailing boats often carry their activities during day time - as two boats on 02 November 2024 at 10.00 am- as well as in late evening beyond 7.30 pm as was the case on 25 October 2024.

Fishing based livelihoods are negatively affected due to these para-sailing activities leading to loss due to tearing of Gill nets by the para- sailing boats. High powered motors fixed on these boats of nearly 200 HP generates high intensity sound frequencies that chases away fish from Zuari river. This problem is experienced from Vaiginim beach to Cacra beach fishing communities.

Your office is therefore advised to take urgent and necessary steps to curtail para sailing activities in Zuari river in the light of above submission.

Awaiting your action in the matter. 

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello 

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Fishing Report from Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, India

Aghanasini river in Devgi village from where Portuguese ships loaded spices to navigate into Europe

I am on visit to Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka coast past two days to get to know the coast and fishing communities. There are many river connected to Arabian Sea in this district. Four major rivers include Kali, Gangavali, Aghanashini and Shravati. Each of these river banks hosts fishing communities just like Arabian Sea coast does. I had closer interactions with fishing communities representatives at Devgi village on the banks of river Aghanishini river. This river supplies sand to real estate lobby. Fishing communities themselves are involved in sand mining. Reasons for this scenario needs further investigation.

There are around 80 fishing cannoes in the village. Fishing activities are carried on in Aghanashini river as well as in Arabian Sea. Ambiga fishing community has major presence in the village. Their significant marker is throwing of casting net into the river waters by rotating above the head with remarkable ease to catch fish. There are many more problems that village is facing including ignorance of government schemes for fishing communities as well as laws governing fishing communities.

This village of Devgi and the neighboring villages is major labour supplier to Trawlers in Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. They suffer acute exploitation. Often when Trawlers are not getting fish in their nets then owners of Trawlers put workers under stress. This leads of fights on board Trawlers. There are often incidents go unreported of incidents when workers are beaten up and thrown into the Arabian Sea waters from Goa Trawlers. Trawler owners have their Union in Goa but they don't allow workers on Trawlers to form the Union. This makes position of workers very weak. This situation requires adequate attention and way out.

Also found that people come to near-by Gokarna Beach to perform rites of purification to attain peace to the soul of their departed family member. After the rite clothes on their bodies are discarded on the beach and new ones are put on. Old clothes gets washed into the Arabian sea water. Most of these clothes has plastics in them. Lots of clothes are lying scattered on the beach too which needs to be taclked and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) enforced for clothes as well as other material disposed in waters. It's gradually turning into an issue that needs attention and sensitive yet decisive intervention.

Glass bottles, broken bottles and other plastics items are gradually crowding the sea bed and river beds and neither community nor state response to reverse the situation is forth coming. There is no awareness on SSF Guidelines, Fisheries laws or ILO Convention 188 amongst fishing communities. Educational Institutions, Panchayats and Fishing organisations representatives who were present at the meeting are requested to work as team to build up awareness and form the Union of fishing communities in North Canara district in various talukas.

Response received at the meeting as well as with meeting with individuals has been overwhelming and promising.

I did share information, vision  and perspectives from NPSSFW experience over the past eight years from 2016 till 2024 in a snapshot with examples from various Geographies of India.

My visit was ably facilitated by my colleague Prashant Ramappa of NPSSFW to whom I remain deeply grateful.

Dr. Sebastiao Rodrigues

National Council Member,

NPSSFW

29 October 2024