On 18 October 2024 Public Hearing for 75.30 ha of land for Cudnem Mineral Block VII was held at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhelim. Here are few reflections:
1. Absence of Project Proponent: Project Proponent (PP) Vedanta Limited is required to remain present during the entire proceedings of Public Hearing to answer the queries of Public on the spot as per the law. However in this case PP was absent. The absence of PP was confirmed by Dr. Shamila Monteiro the member-secretary, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) when the query was raised by Dr. Sebastiao Rodrigues, Convenor, Bharat Mukti Morcha ( Goa Unit) during his deposition. This means even though Public was speaking required presence of PP was not there to hear and respond. This procedural error renders entire Public Hearing process invalid. It is not known as to why North Goa district administration and Goa State Pollution Control Board followed faulty procedures. There were many requests asking for the presence of PP including one to provide definition of "seasonal nallah" that finds mention in EIA report prepared by Mineral Engineering Services based in Bellari, Karnataka. Villagers contented that such "seasonal nallah" doesn't exist on ground in mining lease and the flow of refered water stream is perennial and not seasonal. Hence reference "seasonal nallah" is an absolute fraud.
2. Invalid lease: It came out clearly through presentation of Sadanand Malik, former Minister in Goa Government who spoke powerfully for 30 minutes that the auctioned mining lease itself is invalid as Cudnem Communidade to whom the land belongs has not been consulted at all. Why mining leases are granted bypassing jurisdictions of Communidades in Goa? Land Revenue Code 1968 does not apply to Communidade land and extension of its Jurisdiction over Communidade lands in Goa is a mischievous act with ulterior agendas of undermining authority of village Republics that pre-dates begining of Portuguese rule from 1510. There has been across the board aggression against Communidade authorities and intervention at this Public Hearing by Sadanand Mallik is a silver lining.
3. Ten minutes per speaker: This is an arbitrary rule that has no basis in laws governing EIA Public Hearings in India. The Kudnem EIA has clearly revealed that the life of this mine is 20 years and the life of mining lease is 50 years. It is absurd that 10 minutes time is given per speaker is ridiculous to the core and reflects how Goa administration is in stiffled state of affairs by mining companies including Chairman of GSPCB being an ex-employee of Sesa Goa, subsidiary of Vedanta Limite who is a PP here. Entire system that is created is meant to favour mining company and Public participation of ten minutes inputs is a cruel joke. In this context we need to lauch resistence against these colonial practices afresh. It's a clear take away from the Public Hearing. Dr. Shamila Monteiro made exception to Sadanand Malik and allowed him to speak for half an hour till she herself was sent a note of warning from the behind the scenes actors. It's was all observed by Public.
4. Aggression on Forest: 5.36 ha of Forest land is sought to be diverted to mining. Application is moved to the Conservator of Forest for the approval of land conversion. This trend of diverting Forest land fir mining purpose is dangerous and must be opposed. Goa has already lost huge amount of land for mining and several other projects and even the Indian Judiciary at the highest level has betrayed people of Goa on this count as evident from the way Forest land was directed and legally sanctioned by India Supreme Court led by none other than Justice Chandrachud himself who pronounced two contradictory judgements within span of few weeks. Judiciary is under control of deep State and that's only explanation as to why Justice Chandrachud betryed people of Goa and allowed Mopa Forest to be slaughtered. His role under reference will never be forgotten. This attitude of Supreme Court has shaken confidence of Public in Supreme Court as protector of Goa's Forest from projects like Airports etc. Truly despairing state of affairs. This has provided mining companies etc to go against Goa's forest even more aggressive.
5. Water guzzlers: Need for 95,000 litres of water is per day for this mineral block VII as per EIA report presented. Can Goa afford to provide such a huge quantities of water for Mines? Few weeks ago closeby another Public Hearing took place for Jindals - JSW Mines in Kudnem. What is the total combined water requirement of the two Mines? No data is available. Nevertheless the impact will be fully felt on ground on ecology and people.
6. Siltation of Agricultural lands:
There is already 3.5 meters thick layer of mining silt in agricultural lands in villages like Surla within mining lease due to irresponsible approach of Dempos as well as Sesa Goa, a subsidiary of PP and this EIA report has warned that further siltation will take place due to run off from the mining pits.
7. Highest level of Environmental Sensitivity: From the EIA report itself it is clearly noticed that there has been large number of rivers, lakes and wetlands within 10 kms buffer zone of ten kilometers. Only the maniacs can think of continuing mining of these lands.
8. Neglect of cumulative impact: Goa Government as well as Central Government is entertaining separate EIA reports for each of the mineral blocks by single Bellary based consultancy firm named Mineral Engineering Services headed by M.S. Raju. Through their enormous influence they are committed to facilitate dismemberment and bleeding of Goa's soil for next half a century. They are carrying on separate EIAs for each of the mining blocks. This hides the situation where combined felt impact of different mining blocks could be calculated and projected. Cumulative mining impact studies are essential for Goa rather than separate one. This is so because of small Size of Goa 0.11% of India. Neglect of cumulative impact assesment is dangerous for the Goa in all ways - ecological, economic, social, political, demographic and cultural.
What is missing from the entire process is that there is no cumulative EIA for the entire State of Goa in terms of water consumption, water pumping out from the pits, siltation of Agriculture, Air pollution, ground water disruption, Damage to Public Health, Impact on traffic, Impact of sound pollution etc.
9. Heatless EIA Team: We don't understand as to why Goa University and NIO are not entrusted to the tasks of preparing EIAs and some coglomorate from Karnataka is given this task for mining in Goa. There is not a single Goan in the team that prepared EIA and hence has the team has no interest of Goa at heart. The entire process of EIA preparation is colonial in nature. Merely having an office address at Dona Paula, Goa doesn't absolve Mineral Engineering Services of criminal intent to facilitate destruction Goa through mining. So far they have prepared EIA for all the Mineral Blocks Public Hearings held, so far VII.
10. The Way ahead: Current situation in Goa is such that People and ecology of Goa is held hostage even as Goa is host to minerals - iron ore, manganese, bauxite, sand. What are the options before hostages to move towards Freedom? This question needs to be resolved and needs concerted efforts, needs dialogues, needs conversations at various levels. This note is an attempt towards this direction, towards liberation. Let's go for it! Do your bit! Think through! Not so difficult! Always Possible!
With heart in our chest, Care in our mind, Direction to our feet, let's move! Step by step towards victory!
