Illegal Sand Mining in Mandovi from Chamerem, Chorao

Illegal Sand mining by cannoes is going on daily during night time in Mandovi as per the reports. Robbed sand is unloaded from cannoes at Chamerem, Chorao in close proxity to Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

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After loading the stolen sand in several trucks in violation of DGP order on Sand mining of March 17, 2022 cannoes are hidden near the sluice gate. Click here.

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Illegal Sand mining stretches from Chorao Ferry point upto Devagi near Maddel, Chodan. Click here.

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Each cannoe robs three trucks early morning from 5.00 am to 10.00 am. Six such cannoes are operating from the same spot. Mines and Geology department, Goa Police, Captain of Ports, Transport Department, Tiswadi Mamlatdar as well as North Goa Collector is duty bound to crackdown on this illegal sand mining. 

It is however evident that sand miners cares a dam for any of these authorities and even invested in brand new cannoes.

Illegal Sand mining also takes place from Vanxim island and sand is being transported in four wheelers in Amboi-Vanxim Ferry.

Police call letter to Hanuman Parab for resisting mining in Pissurlem

According to reports Hanuman Parab is served call letter to remain present at the Valpoi Police Station on April 13, 2023 at 11.00 am. Call letter was delivered to him at the night at 9.12 pm. The deeds done in the night time are sinister in character. This looks to be deep conspiracy against Parab for his almost three decade ongoing resistence to mining corporations in Pissurlem village.

Police call letter indicates that Hanuman Parab is likely threat to VVIPs and G-20 meeting that is going to take place in Goa.

Hanuman Parab has also been informed that legal action will be initiated against him in case he fails to remain present at the Valpoi Police Station. 

Bharat Mukti Morcha stands in solidarity with Hanuman Parab and calls upon Goa Police not to harrass Hanuman Parab any more. Last year on March 11, 2022 at Valpoi Police Station Hanuman Parab was administered violence by DYSP Sagar Ekoskar based in Bicholim creating notorious reputation for Goa Police. 

Hanuman Parab is well known for his opposition to mining in Pissurlem due to the havoc it has created to agriculture, water and forest besides dust all over. 

Call up and lodge protests with:

 1. Valpoi Police Station on 0832-2374255 

2. Police Inspector Prajyot Phadte on mobile: 7875756034

3. Superitendent of Police, North Goa:0832-2428124

Caurem Mining Public Hearing Canceled

Bowing to the tremendous pressure of Caurem villagers to oppose  the project, the “Goa State Pollution Control Board,” Saligao, Barbez,  Under the Direction,issued by District Megistrate South Goa has, Cancelled environmental public hearing scheduled on 11/04/2023 at Government high school Ground maina Quepem Goa with respect to

“ZAMBLIDADGA DONGOR IRON AND MANGANESE ORE MINE” Bearing Mining Lease Number M.L. No.3/FeMn/79 Having an area of 70.20 Ha located at Survey.No. 19/0 (part) of Caurem village, Quepem Taluka, South Goa District, Goa Lessee Late Shri.Naraina Sinai Quirtonim,Represented by Smt, Pradnya Zoivant Poi Cano alias Pradnya Zoivant Pai Cano,

Notice regarding Cancellation of public hearing issued today, Sunday 09/04/2023 By Goa State Pollution Control Board .

It may be recalled that GAKUVED Federation has opposed proposed project. A PIL Writ petition was filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa Bench  05.04.2023 on the proposed mine ZAMBLIDADGA DONGOR IRON AND MANGANESE ORE MINE (M.L. No.3/FeMn/79) at Sy.No. 19/0 of Caurem village by Gawada Kunbi Velip & Dhangar Federation(GAKUVED) and 9 other petitioners from Caurem village . CAUREM Villagers had recently passed an unanimous resolution opposing the diversion of forest land for mining or any other industrial purpose at Sy.No. 19 of Caurem village, in the Gram-sabha of V.P Caurem - Pirla held on 02.04.2023.

The tribal forest dwellers have their cultivation on the mountain at Sy.No. 19/0 and are also engaged in collecting minor forest produce. The said mountain is an ecological hotspot and is known for its biodiversity and wildlife. The said mountain also has a religious importance and the springs that originate from the bottom of the mountain fulfils the drinking as well as irrigation water needs of the village. There are a total 149 individual claims and one community resource rights (CFR) claim filed on this mountain under FRA, which are due for settlement.

The GAKUVED had earlier sought interim relief from the High Court to cancel the Public Hearing scheduled on 11 April 2023 with regards to the application for prior Environmental Clearance submitted by the mining lessee and matter is likely to come up for urgent hearing on Monday 10/04/2023 in High Court of Bombay at Goa. 

Other relief sought were to:

1. Directions to expedite the process of settlement of the forest rights claim of the villagers of Caurem in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Forest Rights Act,2006.

 

2. Not to process the applications for Environmental Clearance submitted by the mining lessee for mining of minerals in Sy. no. 19/0 Caurem village, Quepem taluka until the forest rights claim of the villagers of Caurem are settled.

The respondents are as follow:

1. State of Goa,Through the Chief Secretary of Goa 

2. Directorate of Mines and Geology

3. The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority

4. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Goa

5. The Collector & District Magistrate, South Goa

6. The Deputy Collector & S.D.O

7. The Village Panchayat of Caurem

8. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change

9. Ministry of Tribal Affairs 

10. Goa State Pollution Control Board

11. Smt. Pradnya Zoivant Poi Cano alias Pradnya Zoivant Pai Cano (Lessee)

Now Public hearing being Cancelled GAKUVED is hopeful that the proposed project would be scrapped.

 

Will Egna Cleetus IAS give Justice to Caurem tribals?

Goa Governor yesterday has brought in young Ms. Egna Cleetus an officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of

2020 batch as Deputy Collector and SDO, Quepem with additional charge as Forest Settlement Officer (South). As SDO she has power over Police functioning.

This posting aquires significance in the light of mysterious disappearance of file containing Collective Forest Rights claims of Tribal people from Caurem village over management of village Forests including survey no.19 filed in 2016. File it appears has gone missing from the office of Deputy Collector at Quepem.

In the meanwhile Survey no.19 has been placed for public hearing to commence mining even without settlement of Forest Rights claims. 


Last Sunday Caurem-Pirla Panchayat Gram Sabha has opposed diversion of village Forest for mining or any other industrial activity. Gram Sabha has also called for implementation of collective Forest Rights claims pending before the office of Deputy Collector, Quepem. Local MLA Subhas Faldessai too has supported Caurem villagers claims at the Gram Sabha. 

Yesterday group of Caurem villagers along with Gawda, Kunbi, Velip Dhangar (GAKEVED) Federation has approached Goa Bench of Bombay High calling for implementation of Collective Forest Rights claims under Forest Rights Act 2006 and cancelation of Sceduled Public Hearing for April 11, 2023.

It is learnt that a mining company is actually behind this conspiracy as the file for diversion of 70.20 hectares of  land is listed on the website of Regional Office of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) based in Bangalore without consent and even without consulting Caurem villagers. This is colonial style of functioning with might is right jungle rule, predator-prey relationship. This has to stop now!


First task before Ms. Egna Cleetus is clear: locate the Caurem Forest Rights claims that has gone missing for past seven years. Second task if the file is not traced then to file FIR against those responsible for making it untraceable under section 8 and section 9 of Public Records Act 1993 Goa being annexed territory of the Central Government or under section 201 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) or any other law. Third task is to process the Collective Forest Rights claims of Caurem tribal people by making alternate arrangements.

People of Goa observe her conduct in all her roles at Quepem posting.

Interrogating Justin de Santa Cruz Konkani song on Archt. Elsa Fernandes

Two days ago Justin de Santa Cruz uploaded his newly composed Konkani song "Soth tem Soth" on Archt. Elsa Fernandes. There are few things in this song that are offensive to Archt. Elsa Fernandes, her integrity and reputation. Infact they are dehumanizing to the core. He not only sang threatening life of Archt. Elsa Fernandes but crosses several more boundaries. His song is a collage of personal allegations against her as well as her family members. Her principled stand in defence of ecology has been re-interpreted as hurdle for development. 'Soth tem soth' which means Truth is Truth is a talented Public Relations work - if not mercenary mission - for Santa Cruz Panchayat that has launched tirade against Archt. Elsa Fernandes in multiple ways from February 26, 2023 Gram Sabha nine questions. The strategy seems to be to demonstrate mass dissatisfaction against the very presence of an individual : Archt. Elsa Fernandes at Panchayat Gram Sabhas. This is some kind of prejudice that Santa Cruz Panchayat members are harboring and it got spilled out in Justin de Santa Cruz YouTube song wherein Archt. Elsa Fernandes is referred to as 'Khapullem' which means Negro. People with black complexion are referred to as Negros. Justin de Santa Cruz has forgotten the phrase "Black is Beautiful!" Archt. Elsa had no choice on colour of her skin. It is part of her genetic information. Justin has launched attack on genes of Arct. Elsa Fernandes because of her skin colour. This is prejudice so deep. Justin de Santa Cruz has launched racist attack against Archt. Elsa Fernandes that is violation of her Fundamental Right under Article 14 of the Constitution of India that prohibits race as the basis of discrimination. Justin de Santa Cruz is liable to be criminally as well as civilly charged under various laws in force and can earn him jail sentence should Archt. Elsa decides to act. It is violation of her dignity as a human and as woman and case needs to be lodged. It is also an offence under Information Technology Act to promote racism by use of Internet. And even if she doesn't act the onus is upon People of Goa to condemn this racist stereotyping.

Justin de Santa Cruz has accused Archt. Elsa of taking bribes and allowing filling up of paddy fields and salt pans in Merces village. This is an attack on her reputation that attracts criminal as well as civil defamation against Justin de Santa Scruz. 

Archt. Elsa Fernandes had no authority in past or present either to allow or disallow any such activities in her neighboring village of Merces. Why didn't Justin de Santa Cruz block those paddy fields and salt pans in Merces from getting filled up? Who had stopped him? Perhaps Justin might not even be aware that video clips he has included in his video in this regard are of Merces Panchayat Jurisdiction.

Justin de Santa Cruz has defended illegal compound walls in the village without considering planning ethics. Then goes about launching allegations against her brother with use of another racist word 'ghati'.

He goes further in his five minutes video and sings glories to construction of Panchayat Ghar in Khazan land. So according to him the destruction of Goa's khazan lands are desirable! Justin de Santa Cruz has to re-asses his position on Khazan land as CZMP approved by Central Government has demarcated that land as Khazan land even though some builders might have purchased the land to put up their constructions projects in Khazans.

Justin de Santa Cruz trumpets that Archt. Elsa Fernandes is removed as convenor of Village Development Committee (VDC) even though Santa Cruz Panchayat website continues to list Elsa Fernandes as the Convenor of VDC as of on April 05, 2023. It appears that Justin de Santa Cruz hasn't checked his facts before composing his song and got himself in rot under influence from some quarters best known to him. Hope he know to swim in troubled waters he has jumped into before commenting upon Archt. Elsa's swimming skills.

Overall Justin de Santa Cruz is an ugly specimen of worst available racist, male chauvinistic,  deteriorated and degraded bundle of values peddled as art form: Cantar. This is tragic for the reason that Calapur is historically known aa high standard art village. Village now is sought to be ripped apart for a massive urban prowl. 

Yet the song is not just about Santa Cruz. Its call for an aggression against all those people all over over Goa who stand up to the oppresive system and share values that Archt. Elsa Fernandes shares. In other words Justin de Santa Cruz gives out the message to eliminate those standing up to defend Goa's Ecology: Khazan, Forests, Rivers, Coast, Paddy Fields. This is not acceptable as it amounts to erasure of what the green, ecologically frail Goa we know and cherish.

Song is interspersed with photo of Santa Cruz Sarpanch and interviews with Panchayat officials that gives an impression that Panchayat is behind this nasty video against Archt. Elsa Fernandes.

From where do Justin de Santa Cruz got all these destructive ideas? Such ideas are demonic in character and there is a need to investigate and find out as to where he has been frequenting to sing his aggression heading towards deadly disaster. 

There is a need to investigate as to who planted flags of rebellion against Archt. Elsa Fernandes in his mind, for those responsible to encourage and finance him are equally responsible and must be identified and tried criminally.

Justin de Santa Cruz is just in the massive rot. And he is not Just. He is an epitome of unparalleled prejudiced creature. He is in need of exorcism to get himself sober and vommit out all the evil in his thoughts and heart.

Archt. Elsa Fernandes strong message to People of Goa!

Dear All you strong and beautiful people of Goa,

Past more than a month my life was turned upside down by the powers in Santa Cruz Panchayat 

and last couple of days I had to go through attendance at the Old Goa Police station for inquiry into a Police complaint on me as part of the misuse of powers in my Santa Cruz village through coercion by the elected members

I have received unparalleled support across many people of Goa for standing for the rights of simple villagers in the Gram Sabha which reflects the state of our grass root democracy. If Goa grass root panchayat democracy is strong and resilient than Goa is strong and many of you have shown your presence and support to showcase issues connected with this Grass root democracy. 

There are many things which are going wrong and if we all work together to correct that than we will play a big role to save a lot for our future Generations. The issues faced by me in my Gram Sabha are a reflection of many issues needing attention and corrections across many panchayats. A vibrant democracy, an informed representation, a transparent and accountable governance reflects well being in everyone's lives and all of us want this including our adversaries if any.

On that note and for giving your time for this cause through your support in helping me pass through a lot of stressful times due to personal vendetta, I am whole heartedly grateful to each one of you, and I sincerely appreciate each one of you as a pillar in the Grass root democracy of Goa. Together we can make a big difference

DEV BOREM KORUM, 🙏🙏🙏 💚💚💚 

💚GOA💚

Elsa Fernandes

Enviromental Architect

GAKUVED knocks High Court doors against Caurem mining Public Hearing

A PIL Writ petition has been filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa Bench yesterday on 05.04.2023 on the proposed mine ZAMBLIDADGA DONGOR IRON AND MANGANESE ORE MINE (M.L. No.3/FeMn/79) at Sy.No. 19/0 of Caurem village. The petitioners are Gakuved Federation and 9 other petitioners from Caurem village. The tribal villagers of Caurem had earlier written to the Gakuved federation to provide them legal assistance in opposing the above mentioned mine and had recently passed an unanimous resolution opposing the diversion of forest land for mining or any other industrial purpose at Sy.No. 19 of Caurem village, in the Gram-sabha of V.P Caurem - Pirla held on 02.04.2023. The tribal forest dwellers have their cultivation on the mountain at Sy.No. 19/0 and are also engaged in collecting minor forest produce. The said mountain is an ecological hotspot and is known for its biodiversity and wildlife. The said mountain also has a religious importance and the springs that originate from the bottom of the mountain fulfills the drinking as well as irrigation water needs of the village. There are a total 149 individual claims and one community resource rights (CFR) claim filed on this mountain under FRA, which are due for settlement.

The relief sought from the High Court is as follows:

1. Directions to expedite the process of settlement of the forest rights claim of the villagers of Caurem in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Forest Rights Act,2006.

2. Not to process the applications for Environmental Clearance submitted by the mining lessee for mining of minerals in Sy. no. 19/0 Caurem village, Quepem taluka until the forest rights claim of the villagers of Caurem are settled.

3. Interim relief restraining from proceeding with the Public Hearing scheduled on 11 April 2023 with regards to the application for prior Environmental Clearance submitted by the mining lessee.

The respondents are as follow:

1. State of Goa,Through the Chief Secretary of Goa 

2. Directorate of Mines and Geology

3. The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority

4. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Goa

5. The Collector & District Magistrate, South Goa

6. The Deputy Collector & S.D.O

7. The Village Panchayat of Caurem

8. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change

9. Ministry of Tribal Affairs 

10. Goa State Pollution Control Board

11. Smt. Pradnya Zoivant Poi Cano alias Pradnya Zoivant Pai Cano (Lessee)

It proved frivolous complaint against Archt. Elsa Fernandes!

Today April 06, 2023 Archt. Elsa Fernandes was called to the Old Goa Police Station on second consecutive day for the inquiry on complaint filed by 54 people from Santa Cruz Village in Goa. 

Archt. Elsa Fernandes reached Old Goa Police station along with her lawyer at 10.00 am. Police Inspector Satish V. Padvalkar was present in his office. He informed that he has called first five of the fifty-four complainants for the inquiry as well. Their group of accompanied by the Santa Cruz Sarpanch and Panchayat Secretary arrived at the Police Station - half an hour late - at 10.30 am. They were totally nine.

There were around 20 supporters of Archt. Elsa Fernandes outside the police station carrying placards saying "Truth - I support Elsa". Press was also present.

Inquiry started immediately at 10.30 am and lasted for 45 minutes. Arch. Elsa joined the proceedings along with her lawyer. After the conclusion of inquiry it was revealed by the Archt. Elsa Fernandes and her lawyer Adv. Melissa Simoes that inquiry was conducted by PI Padvalkar to ascertain whether there was any instance of law and order situation created by Archt. Elsa Fernandes at the Santa Cruz Gram Sabha on February 26, 2023. 

Complainants along with the Panchayat officials tried to impress the Police Inspector that questions raised by Archt. Elsa Fernandes in her application Constituted law and order breach. This submission was rejected by Police Inspector and counseled the Panchayat officials and complainant that Archt. Elsa Fernandes has right to ask questions and Panchayat officials and complainants should not be upset over this. As there was no evidence found during inquiry of any law and order breach during the February 26, 2023 he closed the investigations against Archt. Elsa Fernandes with a decision to communicate the same to Block Development Officer (BDO) of Tiswadi Taluka.

Complaint against Archt. Elsa Fernandes thus proved to be frivolous one that was meant to waste precious time of the Police as well as Archt. Elsa Fernandes, wicked act of the mastermind of the letter that took 54 residents of Santa Cruz for a demonic ride. Further it was found after examinination of the minutes of February 26, 2023 Gram Sabha that out of 54 signatories to the complaint 33 did not attend the Said Gram Sabha. Purpose of the complaint was to create mental pressure on Archt. Elsa but it got backfired.

In the meanwhile Justin de Santa Cruz has released defamatory konkani Cantar against Archt. Elsa Fernandes online at YouTube at this link. This song has been termed as abuse of talent by Archt. Elsa Fernandes. This abuse can take place when artist has wicked leaning s towards political masters. More investigations is needed on this to understand further implications of this YouTube intervention. This is a challenge not just for Archt. Elsa Fernandes but the people of Goa and beyond. We shall overcome!

From the Old Goa Police Station on Archt. Elsa Fernandes inquiry

Old Goa Police Station Police Inspector had called Architect Elsa Fernandes today April 05, 2023 for the inquiry regarding complaint filed against her by 54 people from Santa Cruz Village on 20th March 2023. She was called at 10.30 am but Police Inspector went away from the Police Station at 10.28 am and returned back only at 12.10 pm.

Archt. Elsa Fernandes reached to the Old Goa Police Station at 10.30 am to find that Police Inspector was missing from the office. She was accompanied by around 40 people from various parts of Goa in the spirit of solidarity in a fight to rescue sanity in democracy currently in coma state at Santa Cruz Panchayat.

There were some attempts to distract her but she did not loose focus of the task at hand and went about with diligence  as a mark of her efficient functioning. First she gave entry of her letter to Superitendent of Police (SP) of North Goa in Porvorim amidst heavy traffic Jam on her way from Santa Cruz to Porvorim. Then she came to Old Goa defeating wayside distractions.

There at the Old Goa Police Station she gave entry of her letter to Police Inspector of Old Goa explaining facts about the contentions of February 26, 2023 Gram Sabha of Santa Cruz Panchayat.

After 90 minutes wait at the Old Goa Police Station she gave another letter inward putting on record the fact that she came to the Police Station in response to the call letter served on her. Since Police Inspector is not available she is dispersing at 12.00 noon. After this letter was entered in Police records Inspector reached Police Station at 12.10 pm. Many people had dispersed and was about to leave the premises. Some returned back after Police Inspector came to his office.

At 12.15 pm Elsa entered the the cabin of Police Inspector Padvalkar with all her supporters and media. Police Inspector however requested everyone to leave his cabin except Archt. Elsa Fernandes, her lawyer and two more people.

Reports of the negotiations indicate that Police Inspector is inclined towards compromising this matter and has called five of the 54 signatories to the Police Station again  tomorrow April 06, 2023 at 10.00 am for a joint meeting with Archt. Elsa Fernandes.

Archt. Elsa Fernandes assisted by her lawyer has asked for uncut, unedited file of the video recording of the February 26, 2023 Santa Cruz Gram Sabha to ascertain the truth as to what exactly went through at the Gram Sabha. Further details are awaited.

Police call letter to Architect Elsa Fernandes

 According to available information Old Goa Police Inspector has served call letter to Emvironmental Achitect Elsa Fernandes to attend inquiry at the Old Goa Police Station on April 05, 2023 at 10.30 am in connection with complaint against her by 54 Villagers of Santa Cruz including few Panchayat members for instigating Gram Sabha members.

Fresh intimidation to Architect Elsa Fernandes?

According to reports Architect Elsa Fernandes has received fresh set of intimidating communications. One of her family members was contacted by someone claiming  to be calling from Old Goa Police station asking Architect Fernandes to report to the Old Goa Police Station. Legal way of Police calling anyone for inquiry is through serving of call letter.

Second intimidation communication has been the communication from Santa Cruz Panchayat that her compound wall is illegal and asking her to report to the Panchayat within seven days with documents about legality of her compound wall.

It must be noted that the tirade against Architect Elsa Fernandes is because of her principled stand in defence of Justice. She has risked her neck out and found herself being attacked relentlessly. It is now becomes duty of people of Goa to counter attack on her behalf for she defended interest of Goa specially interest of Goa's ecology with extraordinary zeal and determination. She loves Goa and Goa's Khazan with unmatched intensity. And Goa loves her too. This love keeps her moving ahead against the tide in her village and beyond in corridors of power.

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly supports Architect Elsa Fernandes specially at this time when she has been put under pressure from various quarters. Like a burning  candle Architect Elsa continues to eminate light to both good and evil. It's upto the recipients to accept or insult her. And we know who is doing what. Everyone will be judged based on their conduct in due course of time.

Loosing Forest for the mines in Caurem?

Here we present Caurem mining EIA critique by Samuel Aaron Afonso

1) The parameters of water quality and noise levels (decibels) not mentioned include the methods and equipment used.

2) Embarked place for waste disposal not described.

3) No system for testing groundwater contamination specifically.

4) For compensation they have included native and non native trees. My question is why have they included non-native/exotic trees.. We have enough ecological imbalance due to exotic trees. Therefore only endemic/native tree plantations should be allowed and encouraged.

All endemic plants should be properly described without missing out on any. Because negligence could lead some endemic trees to fall into the endangered category which is already happening in many areas in India.

5) There is no proper inventory for the number and type of trees to be cut. It is vaguely mentioned as hectares.

6) GIS technology should be used to the fullest which is not seen in this case used to its full potential. There are many upcoming qualified GIS consultants in Goa which could be used for this project and get the best output from it.

Caurem-Pirla Panchayat Gram Sabha red flag to diversion of village Forest land for mining purpose

The gram sabha of village panchayat Caurem - Pirla today on 02.04.2023 passed an unanimous resolution to oppose any kind of diversion of forest land at Survey No. 19 of Caurem village. The resolution reads as follows.

 

‘The gram sabha of Village Panchayat resolves that there shall be no diversion of forest land at Sy. No. 19/0, Cavorem village, Quepem Taluka for mining or any other industrial purpose considering its ecological, cultural, religious importance and livelihood of the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional dwellers of Caurem village, who have filed their claims under Forest Rights Act, 2006 on the said land and are enjoying rights as enshrined under sub section 1 of Section 3 of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.’

 

The said resolution shall be communicated to

1) Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi,

2) Ministry of Tribal affairs, New Delhi,

3) Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Panaji Goa

4) The Chief Secretary and Chairperson of State Level Monitoring Committee under FRA, Govt of Goa, and

5) District Collector, South Goa

 

The above resolution was proposed by Shri. Surendra Velip was seconded by Shri. Sameer Gaonkar.

 

The villagers present for the gram sabha meeting in large numbers to oppose the proposed forest diversion of 70.20 hectares for the mining Lease bearing No. M.L.3/FeMn/79 - Zamblidadga Iron & Manganese Ore Mine, at Sy.No. 19/0 of Caurem village whose public hearing is scheduled to be held on 11.04.2023 at Maina.

 

The tribal villagers of Caurem who are mostly farmers and forest dwellers have their cultivation on the mountain of Sy.No. 19/0 and collect minor forest produce from the said forest land. The gram sabha members also raised serious concern about their tribal deities 'Bhageli Paik' and 'Galla Naas' who are Rakhandars or protectors, who live on this mountain if the said diversion is allowed. The members further raised concern over the seven perennial springs that originate from the bottom of this mountain.

 

The members also brought to the notice of the gram sabha through a report prepared by the elderly villagers, Committee's decision of Forest Rights Committee and Rule 4 (1) (e) committee constituted under FRA rules, that there are 149 Individual claims and one 'Community forest resource & rights claim' pending for settlement. The report also highlighted the ecological, cultural and religious importance of this mountain towards the existence of Caurem village. The gram sabha then discussed the restriction imposed by the Ministry of Tribal affairs and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for the diversion of forest land where there are such religious and forest rights claims.

 

MLA of Sanguem and Minister Shri. Subhash Phal Dessai who was also present for the meeting supported the gram sabha members in opposing the proposed diversion of forest land.

 

The Gram sabha was chaired by Smt. Vidhi Vinod Velip and Dy. Sarpanch Dattesh Gaonkar along with Panchayat members Ulhas Gaonkar, Sangeeta Velip, Dilip Dessai, Madhuri Mainkar were present.

 

Ex- Panchayat member Shri. Ravindra Velip, Nilesh Gaonkar and Chairman of Goa State Co-operative Bank - Shri. Ulhas Phaldessai also shared their views.

 

Ecological critique of Caurem mining EIA report

The quadrats studied for the core area (lease area) covering 70.20 ha are 8 and for the buffer area (within 10 km) covering 179 km2 of dense forest are only 11, which means the quadrats studied for sampling are inadequate compared to the area. It will miss out on important species in the places that are not studied.

The tables showing plant and animal species inventories in tables 3.27 and 3.28 are quite low compared to such a large geographic area.

In Fig. 2.2, it is shown that Village Colomba is also included in the 10 km buffer zone known for the endemic Goa Dipcadi goaense, which is not listed in the plant species inventory, which clearly shows that plants are not studied during the monsoon season and subsequently will miss out on plateau vegetation.

Not a single Ambhibian is noted in the lease area of 70.20 ha. in spite of having water bodies.

And the same applies for Reptiles and mammals.

It should be noted that amphibian diversity is specially studied during the monsoon, as they show maximum activity during the rainy season.

Being that Goa is a part of the Western Ghats, with its rich biodiversity of plant and animal species, it is surprising and suspicious to have such a small number of species in both the lease and buffer zone.