Video: Fisher-folks of Bambolim

This is a nice video prepared by students on fishing controversies in Zuari River. Please click here to watch.

Illegal Trawler Fishing, Tourism Boats, Marinas, double standard in CRZ implementation threatens Marine and Human Life in Goa!

Bharat Mukti Morcha is deeply concerned about villagers of Agacaim, Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxi, Cacra, Odxel, Caranzalem in Tiswadi, Madkai in Ponda, Chicalim, Vasco, Sancoale and Cortalim are greatly troubled due to threats to livelihood they earn from Fishing in Zuari River using non mechanized fishing methods. Since April 2014 fishing nets of the fishermen have been cut up by water sports boats of the Hotel Grand Hyatt located in Bambolim and fishing activities disrupted. When fishermen objected to this, then Agacaim Police Inspector Devendra Gad came over to Bambolim beach on 19^th April 2014 and slapped local fisherman Vishnu Kankonkar. After that there has been a repeated fishing rights violation. In addition this Hotel Grand Hyatt has blocked access to the Cross and the Chapel by putting up fencing wall from all sides thereby violating community rights. Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has forced setting up of two private marinas inside Zuari River at Sancoale and Nauxim Coast. These marinas are for the rich and will completely disrupt our fishing activities and both the lease deeds of 12 and 14 October 2010 has safety provisions only for mining barges transportation and fishermen are not even acknowledged to exist. Life of this lease deed is 30 years. One lease at Nauxim is with Kargwal constructions Pvt Ltd and other at Sancoale is with Yacht Heaven Pvt. Ltd.

Fishermen are facing grave threats from the illegal – cum- unsustainable fishing carried on by trawlers that dig up the riverbed disrupting fish spawning and breeding site in Zuari River. Trawlers are banned from fishing within 5 kms from the coast in Arabian Sea, while there is complete ban on trawlers in rivers of Goa. Goa State is promoting illegal trawler fishing in Zuari River by refusing to station permanent patrol vessel in Zuari River. State does is not allocating Rs. 2 crores to buy Patrol boat in Zuari while sanctioned 25 crores to leading hotels to set up Golf Course in Tiracol when local people are opposing. Reports have come that traditional fishermen ‘Ramponkars’ has clashed with mechanized boat locally known as ‘Dinki’ in Arabian Sea  close to Caranzalem beach. This clash too has been due to current crisis in the Fisheries department where bamon Raj rule is in force. Entire Fisheries bureaucracy in Goa has miserably failed to protect Zuari River and Arabian Sea traditional fishermen and implement Goa, Daman and Diu Fisheries Regulation Act 1980 and the Rules framed for this Act in 1981. 

Double standards are followed in undertaking demolition in Coastal areas. In Baina, people’s houses were demolished on 26^th September 2015. In 2009 when Supreme Court ordered demolition of portion of Cidade de Goa hotel, State Government came out with Ordinance to protect this five star hotel and changed law. Ordinance was soon ratified in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Why no ordinance is passed to protect coastal dwellers? Similarly Hotel Grand Hyatt is found illegal by Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in for violating CRZ laws. Yet the Hotel is allowed to operate by paying fines. Why this double standards? BMM calls for halt to any GCZMA initiated demolitions at Katem, Baina till starred Hotels Grand Hyatt and Cidade de Goa are demolished. 

Two Mobile towers in Bambolim and Nauxim; public wants to be uprooted due to radiation. 

Jai Bharat!                Jai Mulnivasi!                          Jai Goa!

Bharat Mukti Morcha press release on Goa Coastal People's grievances

1.    Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) condemns double standards followed in undertaking demolition on Goa Coast. In Baina, people’s houses were demolished on 26^th September 2015. In 2009 when Supreme Court ordered demolition of portion of Cidade de Goa hotel State Government came out with Ordinance to protect starred hotel and change the law. Ordinance was soon ratified in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Why no ordinance is passed to protect coastal dwellers? Similarly Hotel Grand Hyatt is found illegal by Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in for violating CRZ laws. Yet the Hotel is allowed to operate by paying fines. Why this duplicity? BMM calls for halt to any GCZMA initiated demolitions at Katem, Baina till starred Hotels Grand Hyatt and Cidade de Goa are demolished. BMM is aware that Baina demotions are carried on to facilitate MPT expansion. BMM calls for safeguarding of Baina Bay as well as Vasco Bay for fishing.

2.     BMM Calls for repeal of laws allowing casino gambling in Goa and stop casino installation at Hotel Grand Hyatt, Bambolim. BMM has submitted the letter dated 30/09/2015 to Chief Minister as Casinos has converted Goa into a brothel of India.

3.     Traditional Fishermen in Zuari River are facing threats from Mechanized fishing vessels. BMM has called for dismissal of Director of Fisheries Dr.Shamila Monteiro for her failure to implement ban on trawlers within 5 kms from the shore. BMM had meetings with Director of Fisheries and Secretary to Fisheries yet Goa, Daman and Diu Fisheries Regulation Act, 1980 remains unimplemented. Chief Secretary has refused to grant appointment too. Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado exhibited arrogance on 3/9/2015 over the phone with Rohidas Andrade, BMM Bambolim convener.

4.     BMM calls upon MPT to cancel the two lease deeds signed on 12 and 14 October 2010 for 30 years with Kargwal Constructions Pvt Ltd and Yacht Heaven Pvt.Ltd of Chowgule to set up Marinas in Zuari River as they will adversely affect fishing. Chowgule by mining already caused water depletion in Sirgao and drying up of over 300 wells in Mayem.

5.    BMM condemns resumption of water sports activities by Aqua Sail on 04/10/2015 in Zuari River affecting fishermen from Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim, Siridao and Odxel.

6.    500 people signed BMM letter of 13/08/2015 asking Bambolim Panchayat to revoke N.O.C granted to two mobile towers in Bambolim and Nauxim villages. 120 people has signed BMM letter dated 30/07/2015 to the Goa State Pollution Control Board urging to revoke the permissions granted to install mobile towers in Nauxim and Bambolim.

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa Unit

Illegal Hill cutting activities in survey numbers 1 to 16 of Bambolim village

Date: 30th September 2015

To,

The Collector (North Goa)

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Illegal Hill cutting activities in survey numbers 1 to 16 of Bambolim village of Tiswadi Taluka

Dear Madam,

We write to you to bring to your kind notice illegal hill cutting currently ongoing in survey numbers 1 to 16 of Bambolim village in Tiswadi Taluka.

You are requested to act and stop the same.

Thanking you,

         Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Goa State Unit

       Sd/-

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Bharat Mutkti Morcha,

Cacra unit

         Sd/- 

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Bambolim unit

        Sd/-

Soccoro Braganza

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Siridao Unit

         Sd/-

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Curca Unit

         Sd/-

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Odxel Unit

      Sd/-

Milind Palkar

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Nauxi unit

         Sd/-

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Siridao Unit

        Sd/-

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Nauxi Unit

500 people sign petition to revoke permission granted to mobile towers at Bambolim and Nauxim

13th August 2015 

Inward entry given on 23rd September 2015 at 12.50 pm



To,

The Sarpanch,

Curca-Bambolim-Telaulim-Nauxim Panchayat

Tiswadi, Goa

Subject: Call to revoke N.O.C granted to Mobile towers at Bambolim and Nauxim

Dear Madam,

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly calls upon you to immediately revoke the N.O.C. granted by you for setting up of mobile towers in Bambolim near Aldeia de Goa gate and another one at Nauxim inside the compound wall of Aldeia de Goa. In addition we have received information that third tower too is going to be installed in Nauxim village. We are surprised that you gave N.O.C. without consulting the villagers with radiation risks are imminent.

We have already submitted our protests and objections for mobile towers to Goa State Pollution Control Board, Panjim on 30th July 2015. These high capacity mobile towers will cause radiation not only to the Nauxim village but several surrounding villages such as Bambolim, Telaulim, Curca, Cacra, Siridao, Odxel etc. White invaders massacred aborigines of America through bloody wars during past 5 centuries and we aborigines of Goa are now sought to be killed through radiation from mobile towers in Nauxim and Bambolim. We will not allow it. We want all these mobile towers to be uprooted.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon you to immediately revoke N.O.C. granted to install mobile towers at Nauxim and Bambolim.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
       Sd/-
Rohidas Andrade and 499 others.

Mobile towers at Aldeia de Goa Bambolim inspite of public opposition

Here are two mobile towers that has come out of the arrogance of power at Aldeia de Goa, Bambolim. In spite of public opposition these mobile towers has come about.  Goa State Pollution Control Board carried on inspection of illegal mobile towers in 27th July 2015 and on 31st July 2015 permanent mobile towers were installed one each in Bambolim and Nauxim.

Objections to the installation of Mobile Towers at Nauxi and Bambolim by Aldeia de Goa

Date: 30^th July 2015

To,

The Member-Secretary,

Goa State Pollution Control Board,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Objections to the installation of Mobile Towers at Nauxi and Bambolim

Dear Sir,

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly protests setting up of two mobile Towers, one each in Nauxi and Bambolim. One at Nauxi village inside the compound wall of Aldeia de Goa. We have noticed that work is in progress while the Goa State Pollution Control Board Junior Environmental Engineer Mr. Vijay Kansekar carried on the inspection 27^th July 2015 on the complaint from Bharat Mukti Morcha on mobile towers erected on movable trucks. The high capacity mobile tower with height of nearly 60 meters is under construction within compound wall of Aldeia de Goa in Nauxi.

The second mobile tower we object to is at Bambolim, outside the gate of Aldeia de Goa. Both the mobile towers are within the jurisdictions of Curca-Bambolim-Telaulim-Nauxi Panchayat.

 These two mobile towers will cause radiation not only to the Nauxi and Bambolim villages but several surrounding villages such as Telaulim, Curca, Cacra, Siridao, Odxel etc, and also fishermen fishing in Zuari River. White invaders massacred aborigines of America through bloody wars during past 5 centuries and we the aborigines of Goa – Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward classes are now sought to be killed through radiation from mobile towers in Nauxi and Bambolim.

It is an urgent need and a must to immediately revoke permission/NOC granted to setting up of permanent mobile tower at Nauxi and at Bambolim.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Signed by Rohidas Andrade and 119 others

Pictures from Bharat Mukti Morcha Nauxim meet against Marinas in Zuari river

 On May 14, 2015 Bharat Mukti Morcha organised public meet to protest Marinas at Zuari river in Nauxim village. In the picture above President of Bharat Mukti Morcha Maggie Silveira seen addressing the gathering.

 In the above picture Adv.Suresh Palkar, former Zillla Parishad Member is seen speaking in protest against the Marinas in Zuari

 People gathered for the meeting

 Presence of media

 Young and mature noting the proceedings

 Sanjay Pereira, Bharat Mukti Morcha convenor from Cacra addressing the gathering.

 Cosme Pires, Sarpanch of Siridao addresing the meeting

 Sebastian Rodrigues spoke out against Marinas

 Maria Cunha, Sarpanch of Bambolim spoke and declare total support from Bambolim Panchayat

 Former MLA Francis Silveira extending support to the protest

 Gearing up for a combat against MPT

 MLA of St.Andre Constituency expressed his total opposition to Marinas in Zuari.

 Protestors Standing tall for a long haul

 Slogans just shooting out of mouth

 Public response is overwhelming

John Viegas proposing vote of thanks

Threat of displacement and disruption of fishing activites to the people living on coast at Baina, Khariwada, Desterro etc near Vasco due to aggression perpetuated by MPT plans of expansion

Date: 28^th April 2015

To,

The Chairman

Mormugao Port Trust (MPT),

Headland Sada, Mormugao, Goa

To,

The Commissioner & Secretary (Ports)

Government of Goa,

Chamber No. 203

3^rd Floor, Secretariat,

Porvorim, Goa.

Subjects:

1. Fishing rights violations in Zuari river affecting villagers of Odxel, Cacra, Nauxi, Bambolim, Siridao, Dona Paula, Agassaim, Goa Velha, Cortalim, Sancoale etc due to MPT proposed marinas

2. Threat of displacement and disruption of fishing activites to the people living on coast at Baina, Khariwada, Desterro etc near Vasco due to aggression perpetuated by MPT plans of expansion

Sir,

At the first instance we write to you to express our complete opposition to the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) proposed two Marinas in Zuari river to cater to the high end tourists. One of them is in Bambolim and second one in Sancoale as per declaration of Acting Chairman and Deputy Chairman of MPT Mr.Cyril George to press on April 8, 2015 in Panjim. The villagers engaged in fishing activities in Tiswadi taluka are directly affected specially from the villages of Odxel, Cacra, Nauxi, Bambolim, Siridao, Agassaim, Goa Velha, and Dona Paula are affected in North Goa while Sancoale, Cortalim, etc villages are affected in South Goa. The decision of MPT to construct Marinas earlier in Nauxi was opposed on 05 December 2010 and the links to Times of India report is here for your ready reference:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Nauxi-meet-opposes-MPT-marina-plans/articleshow/7049993.cms

Villagers successfully opposed this ill-conceived project of the MPT and now after four years and four months is sought to implement the same project all over again, this time in Bambolim and additional one at Sancoale.

Curca-Telaulim-Bambolim Panchayat in fact passed Gram Sabha resolution against proposed marina on January 30, 2011 on grounds that it would adversely affect the traditional fishing activities of the villagers. The villagers also argued that the waterfront would spell ecological disaster to the village as it require dredging of the river and construction on the waterfront both of which would affect the flow of water. You may access links online of the report published in Times of India:

http://goachronicle.com/gram-sabha-opposes-mpts-marina-project/

The village Panchayat of Curca-Telaulim-Bambolim-Nauxim Gram Sabha on 19^th April 2015 has already expressed its unanimous opposition to the proposed Marinas in Zuari river. Why should serving high end tourists in the form of marinas spell dead end to local fisher people on the banks of Zuari river? This is important to answer. 

Our understanding is that this decision is declaration of war against indigenous people as first land was taken over for Goa University, International Centre, Aldeia de Goa, Grand Hyatt, and now Zuari river too is being taken away without our consent. Truly arrogant plus dictatorial way of functioning intended towards complete destruction of livelihood based on fishing threatening food security. Aldeia de Goa and Grand Hyatt are starred hotels serving tourists and are illegitimately occupying land of local tribal people’s homeland. This is nature of aggression perpetuated on indigenous people of Goa in the name of tourism on land. And now this aggression on indigenous people including ST. OBC people has been extended into Zuari river. We have not forgotten MPT aggression on Cacra village in 1997 when it permitted Timblos to construct Offshore Stockyard and Berth (OSB) that was opposed successfully by the villagers.

Kindly convey our views of firm opposition to your seniors at the Union Ministry of Shipping as pleasure of high end tourists cannot be allowed to take priority and push fishing communities into dead end.

At the Second instance we write to you to express our solidarity with the people residing at Baina, Khariwada and Desterro near Vasco. These people are living on coast and we have learnt that MPT expansion plans are all set to prompt their eviction from the coast. Further we have also learned from the reports in the press viz Navhind Times dated 13^th April 2015 that large number of fisher people are staying on the beach side for many generations and MPT’s plans for expansion is directly putting their fishing activities in jeopardy. Here is an online link for your reference: 

http://www.navhindtimes.in/jetty-work-save-our-houses-livelihood-demand-khariwada-traditional-fishermen/

We are aware that Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Co-operative Society has already served memorandum dated 15^th April 2015 to your office on 17^th April 2015 over the subject matter of fishing activities at Khariwada. The copy of this document has been made available to Bharat Mukti Morcha. The issue was discussed at the meeting of Bharat Mukti Morcha with fishermen’s organisations on 21^st April 2015 and decided to extend full support and solidarity to their struggle. After studying the issue we realized that these coastal dwellers are being sort to absorb into exploitative structures of bondage and slavery due to expansion plans of MPT into their dwelling and fishing spaces and we object totally to MPT plans.

These traditional fishermen known as “Ramponkars” were carrying on the activities of fishing over the coastal belt of Kharewada up to coast of El-Monte. Due to expansion of MPT reaching upto Berth No.11 lots of fishing spaces are drastically reduced.  And the current expansion plans will lead to displacement of fishers as well as non-fisher people staying on the coast. Interests of MPT are directly clashing with interests of fishing communities’ needs of dwelling, livelihood and life with dignity.

Similar fate also awaits residents of Baina beach. From the discussions with fishermen it was revealed that the expansion plans of MPT encompasses entire Baina bay. The document published on Union Ministry of Shipping website titled “Perspective Plans for Major Ports” on page 18 lists out Baina Bay and Vasco Bay development as opportunity for MPT in scheme of SWOT analysis carried on by MPT consultants M/s Halcrow Consulting & Ernst Young. It’s clear from this document that what fishermen on both these shore are expressing is well grounded in reality. There is no scope for either Goans or non-Goans to survive as evictions will be of all and debate fermented by Goa CM Parsekar and Karnataka Minister Deshpande on 8^th April 2015 and reported next day in Tarun Bharat has no basis. We oppose eviction of both Goans and non-Goans, legal and illegal as both are mulnivasis of India and interpretation and implementation of law in Goa is bended favoring rich entities like Hotel Cidade de Goa and Grand Hyatt to give two examples..

Fisher and other people are living on the coast of both Baina Bay as well as Vasco Bay far before MPT was established in 1885 and CRZ law enacted in 1980s and MPT has no right to displace them at its whims and fancies even if some have settled there later. Bharat Mukti Morcha is aware that MPT tried unsuccessfully to get rid of coastal people few years ago through litigations but failed. Due to this Vasco Municipality was roped in to file cases of CRZ violations on coastal dwellers so that they are pushed out of the beach so that MPT will have ready possession of the Beaches. We also learned that few years ago there was move by MPT to get these people out with the intervention of few public spirited people that move was foiled after protests.

The above cited document from the Ministry of Shipping, New Delhi has interesting mission and vision statement for MPT. It reads “Mormugao Port Trust wishes to be the preferred port for the reason, recognized for its environmental policies, efficiency in cargo handling and services to customers, providing quality of life for the work force and support the community.” We must let you know that your expansion plans in Vasco Bay, Baina Bay, Marina at Sancoale and Marina at Bambolim is opposite of recognizing MPT for environmental policies and support to the community. These projects are part of absurd environmental policies and completely against community. In fact both these projects are declaration of war against the community.

Therefore Bharat Mukti Morcha expresses total opposition to the expansion plans of MPT into Vasco Bay, Baina Bay, Zuari River for marinas at Sancoale and Bambolim for the reasons of displacement of the people living on the beaches and disruption of fishing activities.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon you as responsible officer of Mormugao Port Trust -that is governed by Major Port Trust Act 1963 - to call off MPT plans of expansion into Vasco Bay and Baina Bay affecting people at Baina, Khariwada and Destorro as well as Zuari river proposed Marinas at Sancoale and Bambolim at the earliest.

Awaiting your early and prompt action,

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State

Sd/-

Mohammad Saleem

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Vasco Unit

Sd/-

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Bharat Mutkti Morcha, Cacra unit

Sd/-

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Bambolim unit

 Sd/-

Soccoro Braganza

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao unit

Sd/-

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Curca Unit

Sd/-

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Odxel Unit

Sd/-

Milind Palkar

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Nauxi Unit

Sd/-

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao Unit

Sd/-

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Nauxi Unit

 Sd/-

Jeronio D’Souza

Co-convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao Unit

Sd/-

Vishnu Kankonkar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Bambolim Unit