Should paddy fields be deliberately conversted into Mangrove Forest

Should paddy fields be deliberately converted into Mangrove forest?

Latest developments on Divar Island compels us all to ask this question.

15 acres of paddy fields within the Jurisdiction of Goltim-Navelim panchayat are sought by Pune based NGO known as FORREST. Sight inspection is fixed for 28 August 2024.

Those with legal entitlement to the land survey numbers mentioned in Panchayat notice hasn't even been consulted at all on the matter. Yet Panchayat felt it fit to issue notice of site inpection dated 09 August 2024 for verification on 28 August 2024 at 11.00 am.

If Panchayat and FORREST has their way to plant Mangroves in paddy fields then it would lead to dramatic legal as well as ecological changes. Legally Jurisdiction of the paddy fields will be shiring from revenue department to forest department. That will be the begining of pressure on people to evict - though gradually. Mangroves in paddy fields covering 15 acres will also create food security issues. The wisdom of the local Panchayat even to consider application from FORREST needs to be examined. Why is it the case that Panchayat headed never considered revival of paddy fields for rice plantation? 

Conservation as is seen from development in Goltim - Navelim is taking the form of green colonialism and urgent anti-colonial steps are needed. If steps are not initiated on time then pressure on Island people will increase. Life under forest regime in India is life of enslavement and it must be rejected lock, stock and barrel.

It's FORREST in Divar Island, it's Third eye vision in St. Estevam, It's Bridge to facilitate luxury tourism in Vanxim, all the islands in Mandovi are being chewed up. It's time now for all the island people to forge joint action and plan of understanding to launch movement to reclaim all the islands from all the preying vested interests.

Goa CM and Cumbharjua MLA on bonderam day has already blown trumpet. It is for us islanders and those who love the islands in Mandovi to pick up the signals and play our cards to foil clandastine corporate takeover plans.

Let's remember yet again Goa was Annexed through conquest in 1961 and what we witness currently is the fruit of that Soviet Union arrogance through veto power of 18 December 1961 at UN Security Council. 

Our islands would have never been in these vulnerable state if we had to experience genuine liberation. We are slowly brainwashed to believe conquest as liberation. Time to act is knocking our doors. Assembly of people with grossly doubtful integrity are enacting the laws to legalize land loot of varied diversity promoting rapidly the situation of oppression and injustice against people of Goa.

We need to make our choices pretty quickly for time waits for none. Preparation is better than regret. 

Let's act now to defend paddy fields from being hijacked into Mangroves with Goltim-Navelim Panchayat as efficient conduit of eco-colonialism.

Currently there is strong movement to do away with Mangroves inside paddy fields and reclaim the space for paddy cultivation. Rightful place of Mangroves is on the river banks, no one objects. And these Mangroves are hacked by another corporate engaging in water sports tourism known as Champion's Island of infamous and Panchayat's role here us under scanner. Invasion of rice fields must be preserved as such without getting Mangroves to mess up.

Diwar Bonderam as Bridge to Vanxim?

Divar Bonderam as bridge to Vanxim?

Vanxim scam that originated in echelons of clerical headquarters in Altinho in February 2006 with scandalous morally wrong sale deed seems to have got dirty wings with Goa CM Sawnt declaration of bridge connecting Vanxim to Divar Island.

The bridge is pre-requsite to intensity land grab of the island. Paddy fields, fishery, peaceful life style. 

Mahendra Gaunekar, Sonali Gaunekar, Ozone corporate, Fr. Arline D'mello, Archbishop Cardinal Ferrao Ferrao are part of this shoddy deal on record. There are shaddy behind the scenes sneeze operators.

They visualize Vanxim differently, luxuriously with tourism, luxury housing as chief focus, clandastine agenda.

Since this scam is creation of clergymen it is the duty of the clergy to intervene and get Vanxim out of clutches of the likes of Sawant, Faldesai.

Festival of Bonderam has been used to make declaration on Bridge at Vanxim is indeed instructive. 

People not only Vanxim but also from  Divar and Malar must see through various land grab scams. Vianaar, FORREST are just two of them on radar, visible. 

One who pays bagpipper calls the tune. One who sponsors the events expects submissions to agendas of doubtful motives.

Thats how we are today.

Attack on Vanxim today is attack on Divar, Malar, and rest of Goa as well.

It's invasion. We had Goa annexed through conquest in 1961. Today it's dispossesion of Land from Goans to be handed over to posh ones.

Currently we even have law to take over the properties. The real estate interests not only dominates Divar Banderam but also controls and directs current BJP government in Goa.

Man charged with dozen criminal sections for looting iron by Ambar Tomblo is current legislator from Cumbharjua that lobbies for bridge at Vanxim. Intention that is criminal has its origin is certain to have enslaving outcome.

Let's think through this development and get clear understand on what's been pushed on to us once again.

In Front of Ribandar Coastal Security Police Station Illegal Sand Miners Feel Safe And Secure

100 meters in front of Ribandar Coastal Security Police Station illegal sand mining flourish in Mandovi

Around 08 big cannoes were seen carrying on illegal sand mining in Mandovi river on mid-night of May 12-13, 2023 barely 100 meters from Coastal Security Police Station at Ribandar. Complaint was lodged on 112 Emergency Service as well as Police Inspector, Coastal Security Police Station, Ribandar on his mobile phone 7875756099 at 11.30 pm.

Goa Police Station personnel came to the Ribandar -Divar Ferry spot at 00.10 am. They came in one Jeep and one two-wheeler. All together six policemen came. Four in uniform and two in civil clothes.

Visit was also made to the office of Coastal Security Police Station at 11.35 pm. Cops there were surprised to know that hundred meters away visibly sand mining is going in front of the Coastal Security Police Station, Ribandar. Police there on duty came out to see if that's true. After confirming he assured that he will call other Police personell and dispatch patrol boat to nab illegal sand miners in Mandovi. 

By 00.15 am boats moved 200 hundred meters upwards towards East little beyond the Ferry Jetty and stopped to continue sand extraction illegally. Patrol boat of Coastal Security Police never turned up. We don't know the reasons for they never got communicated. Last we heard about the Patrol boat was that Goa CM Dr. P. Sawant was operating. We don't know if the boat has been taken by him to destination of his choice.

Police at the Ribandar-Divar Ferry Jetty said that their duty is on land and water duty belong to Coastal Security Police Station. And now they will go. They were told to follow up the cannoe route. Police were reluctant and replied that they have no time to do so.

From this experience it is clear that Police telephone complaint was leaked to the cannoes in Mandovi waters. There is well oiled nexus between the Police and illegal sand mining cannoes.

Previous night of May 11-12, 2023 these cannoes carried  on illegal sand mining near Vitogem, Diwar from 00.00 hours to 04.00 hours.

This is an indication that illegal San mining operators are turning into mafia. Goa administration is colluding with illegal sand miners in this manner.

Post Script

Later at 1.25 am an ASI named Chopdekar from Coastal Security Police Station, Ribandar called up to inquire as to where the sand mining was going on. When questioned as to why so much the delay in responding he answered saying that his team had gone to answer call at Amona Bridge. When location was disclosed he said that currently no boats are seen. Possibility of cops speaking truth is reputed to be remote. Further when questioned about status of Patrol boat he disclosed that the said boat is on G-20 duty. Other small boat has no trained staff to navigate as the regular staff is posted on G-20 duty. This further confirms toothless nature of policing in Goa's rivers.

Seby Rodrigues

Why did Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch Mario Pinto bluffed on Tourist Villages Development Scheme?

Goltim-Navelim is one of the two Panchayats in beautiful island of Divar in Mandovi River. The other Panchayat is Sao Mathias Panchayat. Due to mesmerizing beauty of the island tourism related interests are attempting to take over foothold on the island in various ways. Some houses on the island are sold off. Some land has been sold off. Roads are being built on the borders under the pretext of bund repairs. Tourism activities are being carried on on the island its North-western banks with official permission for Cage fishing. 

The latest concern to strike the islands of Divar (Goltim-Navelim Panchayat), St. Estevam and Chorao is tailor made scheme for the intrusion on these islands: Goa Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021. These three Panchayats were sent invitation letter to participate in attending the meeting at Tourism Department even before the scheme was officially notified on official  Gazzette. And this is what points towards sinister intentions and the role of Mario Pinto.

The then Director of Tourism Menino D'souza addressed joint letter to the above referenced three Panchayats of Chodan/Chorao, Goltim-Navelim and St. Estevam on September 14, 2021. The subject header of the letter reads " Tourists Villages Development Scheme 2021". The letter to the three Sarpanchas is an invitation for a meeting to promote tourist village Development scheme to be held at Paryatan Bhavan on September 17, 2021 at 3.30 pm.

A day prior to the above schedule meeting Goa Official Gazzette notified the Tourist Village Development Scheme 2021 on September 16, 2021 in series I No. 25.

Attendance sheet of the September 17, 2021 meeting procured under RTI provides names, designations and signatures of those who attended this meeting as under:

1. Joanita D'costa, Sarpanch, St. Estevam 

2. Shirishkumar Tari, Secretary, VP St. Estevam

3.  Tukaram J. Naik, Secretary, VP Goltim-Navelim 

4. Ameez Baig, Experience Manager, Blive 

5. Siddharth Nagarcekar, General Manager (Operations), Blive

6. Mario Pinto, Sarpanch, VP Goltim-Navelim 

7. Ramesh Kundoikar, Panch, Goltim-Navelim 

It must be noted that Mario Pinto has signed the attendance sheet at serial no.6 of this meeting in his capacity as Sarpanch, Goltim-Navelim. Investigation has clarified that he did not consult the villagers of Divar and went about taking unilateral desicions keeping Gram Sabha in dark.

October 30, 2022 Gram Sabha of Goltim-Navelim Panchayat objected implementation of "Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021" in the village.

On January 22, 2023 Times of India (https://m.timesofindia.com/city/goa/5-pyats-apply-for-tourist-village-devpt-scheme/amp_articleshow/97183929.cms) included Goltim-Navelim Panchayat as amongst five Villages in Goa that has applied for implementation of Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021 within their Jurisdiction. This was shocking information and the role of Mario Pinto the Sarpanch came under scanner for his undue favoritism to tourism lobby bypassing village interests.

In February village Panchayat announced its Gram Sabha meeting for Sunday, February 12, 2023 and called for points to be part of the agenda. One of the residents Roque Menezes wrote to the Sarpanch on this issue and gave inward on February 04, 2023 with contents as under:

"My point is once again on the "Jetties Policy of the Tourism Department" which was discussed in the Panchayat at the last Gram Sabha. Once again we reiterate, this policy introduced by the Govt will completely wipe out the Coastal  communities of Goa. This is a big threat to our Fishing community at Vitogem as such we the residents would like to know what initiate the Panchayat has proposed to protect the interest of the Fishing community in our village. And also what is the Panchayat's stand in this regard.

Further to this, once again .. I wish to know about the "Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021" initiated by Department of Tourism. In this regard what has been the stand of the Panchayat body ?? What is the benefit of this Scheme to the village communities, people of our village, and the village as a whole, what is the relations between this Scheme and the "Jetties Policy"? What will be the Panchayat's role, what will be the benefit for the Panchayat??? In short, we want this subject be discussed at the Gram Gram Sabha and feedback of the various communities be taken into consideration."

Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch addressed rather unusual letter to Roque Menezes on February 09, 2023 with contents as under:

"That as regards Jetty Policy the Panchayat has sent its objections which were read at the last Gram Sabha meeting held on 30.10.2022 to the Government vide resolution no. 4(1). That therefore the same be taken note of beyond which the Panchayat has no power. As regards your point at serial no. 1 the same is satisfactorily addressed.

As regards point no. 2 pertaining to tourist village development scheme of 2021, it is humbly stated that no such decision has been so far taken in that regard by the Panchayat. "

In view of the above reply it is pertinent to ask few questions:

1. If Panchayat has not taken such decision then why did Mario Pinto attend meeting at the Tourism Department. 

2. If Panchayat has not taken such decision then why Mario Pinto has not countered above cited Times of India report that declared Goltim-Navelim Panchayat has applied for the Tourist Development Scheme 2021 citing Goa Tourism Department as its source?

Goa Power Minister not bothered: Electricity workers in Malar, Diwar, Vanxim forced on foot

Electricity department employees attached to Corlim office are deprived of the vehicle to move about to attend to the calls from public in jurisdiction that includes Islands villages of Diwar, Malar and Vanxim. Tragedy has placed these employees in precarious conditions as the have to move on foot from December 02, 2017. 

The vehicle that department office had has been done away with without replacement. Workers in blue uniforms are seen moving on island in hot sun with ladders and other equipments on their shoulders walking. This causes delays to public and exhaustion to workers. This is twenty first century Goa!

Power Minister of Goa Pandurang Madkaikar, who is also local MLA from these place must cease to use any vehicles to move from his home in Old Goa to anywhere in Cars and other vehicles till the replacement four wheeler vehicle is given to the above mentioned Electricity Department employees. Mr. Madkaikar must go walking to his office at Goa Legislative Assembly every day. Only then he will realize the plight of the worker of his department stranded without a vehicle to move on foot.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for immediate replacement vehicle to these workers to help ease their journeys to attend calls from public.

Scam in the N.O.C. for undertaking cage farming at Navelim, Diwar, granted to the Champions Yacht Club

Date: 06^th August 2015

To,

Avertano Furtado,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa.

To,

The Secretary (Fisheries)

Secretariat, Porvorim,

Goa

To,

The Director of Fisheries,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa.

To,

The Superintendent of Police,

Crime Branch,

Ribandar, Goa

Subject: Scam in the N.O.C. for undertaking cage farming at Navelim, Diwar, Tiswadi at Survey no. 118/1 granted to the Champions Yacht Club

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon the office of the Director of Fisheries to immediately revoke the N.O.C. for undertaking cage farming granted to the Champions Yacht club, Gera Imperium 1, Ground Floor – G12 & G14, EDC Complex, Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa due to several discrepancies amounting to scam noticed by us as follows:-

1.    The letter from the Champions Yacht club dated 26/02/2015 that Director have cited in her N.O.C letter dated 10/03/2015 has dubious character as there are two such letters with the same date of 26/02/2015.

2.    The first letter from Champions Yacht Club is dated 26/02/2015 but inward to the Department of Fisheries, Panaji is dated 03/03/2015 with inward number 7570. The letter is signed by Hema Malini N. with no indication of her designation in the Champions Yacht Club.

3.    The second letter from the Champions Yacht Club is also dated again 26/02/2015 but inward entry to the Department of Fisheries, Panaji is 09/03/2015 with inward no.7672. That means the letter was given entry just one day before the Director’s N.O.C for cage farming. N.O.C. was granted next day 10/03/2015. This letter is signed by Hema Malini, Sree Sai Champions Family trust. In this letter one additional sentence appears from the first letter namely “We also need approval to use mechanized/ non-mechanized boats to reach these cages.”

4.    The letter head used for both the letters is of Champions Yacht Club and there is no mention of any links with Sree Sai Champions Family Trust as per documents procured under R.T.I from the Directorate of Fisheries. Hema Malini allias Hema Malini N appears is aware of the fraud and that’s the reason she refrained from mentioning her designation in the Champions Yacht Club.

5.    Both the letters are not identical but they are separate with the same date 26/02/2015. It is not clear as to in response to which letter that the Director of Fisheries has granted the N.O.C for cage farming. Hence deliberate confusion is sought be created in this matter with vested interests at play.

6.    Further R.T.I replies from the office of the village Panchayat of Goltim-Navelim (Piedade) has revealed that the Champions Yacht Club is not carrying on any kind of fishing activity at survey number 118/1. Panchayat is also not aware of the date of commencement of fishing activities at survey number 118/1. Panchayat is also unaware of the fish species used at survey no 118/1 for breeding/rearing purpose.

7.    On 15^th June 2015 we noticed advertisement banner of Champions group at Ribandar near Chorao Ferry Warf and boats carrying the staff to work at Champions Yacht Club in Divar. The advertisement banner advertised tours for Divar as tours to Champions Island. There was also mention of website on the banner as www.championsisland.com . This website as accessed on 16^th June 2015 is about actual ongoing activities in Divar at survey no 118 as a base to carry on tourism activities. On payment of Rs.1000/- or Rs.1,500/- per day tourist can enjoy Fishing, Kayaking and Pontoon Boat Rides. The website also has pictures of destroyed mangroves and many enjoying boat rides next to them. Ironically both the letters of 26^th February 2015 records “The property also had some areas covered with mangroves, which help in providing shelter and nutrition for wide variety of fishery.” This means mangroves are deliberately cut down hence the sentence is in past tense. This website gallery has a photograph of CEO of Champions Yacht Club Subhakar Rao Surapaneni himself personally rowing in yacht for pleasure in the middle of destroyed mangroves with one female child. Champions Yacht Club was aware of the importance of mangroves to fishery and yet it indulged in destroying the same and evidence posted on above mentioned website. This is a supreme demonstration of arrogance towards fisheries, law and nature. (Has the Director of Fisheries carried on site inspection before granting of N.O.C. considering that inward was done on 9^th February 2015 and N.O.C granted next day?)

8.    The exact quote from this website is “Island: Picnic + Water Sports Rs. 1,000/- per person. 300 yards off the shores of Ribandar, this open ocean playground is stocked with unlimited exiting water sports activities: Kayaks, Paddle boats, Car boats, Swan rides, Fishing, Soft drinks, snacks and water bottle. Time slots12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm & 4 pm Pick up point: Ribandar Jetty.” This Jetty is used by Public plying ferry to Chorao. Tourists are also shown as indulging in fishing activities in open waters of Mandovi river on Yachts. On ground investigation at survey number 118/1 revealed that hard liquor along with beer is continuesly being sold to the visiting tourists.

9.    N.O.C from the Director of Fisheries has been used for tourism purpose. The website mentioned on the letterhead to make two dubious letter of 26^th February 2015 to the Director of Fisheries -  www.championsyachtclub.com - reveals zero activities in fisheries sector except mere mention of cage farming  and overwhelming focus on tourism and water sports. It is unlikely that Director of Tourism has not checked the track record of Champions Yacht Club in fishing activities in past. If the Director has done so then it is sign of high degree of incompetence that calls for severe reprimand.

10. Message from the Champions Yacht Club CEO Subhakar Rao Surapaneni itself is clear on the above mentioned website and Divar is being sought to be projected for tourism purpose on the above cited website, “At Divar Island, one can have the highest boating options and travelers can even have a meal right in the middle of a lake in a floating BBQ boat.” So the second letter of 26^th February 2015 given for inward on 09^th March 2015 as referred in point 3 above was to get legal cover for these tourism boats to enter into island for tourism purpose.

11. We however have observed that N.O.C from Director of Fisheries is used as an entry point for mechanized boats not for fishing but tourism purpose in CRZ area of survey no.118/1 of Goltim, Tiswadi. Fishing is only the pretext for tourism activities and Director of Fisheries is active participant in this scam as N.O.C granted on 10/03/2015 is fraud beyond doubt.

12. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon The Secretary (Fisheries) and the Director of Fisheries for immediate revocation of this N.O.C. granted to the Champions Yacht Club.

13. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for police investigation action into nexus between the Champions Yacht Club and the Director of Fisheries who entertained two different applications of dubious nature dated 26^th February 2015 as explained in above points 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 and without specifying as to which applications Director has responded to and issued N.O.C that is misused for tourism purpose without carrying on prior site inspection and granting of N.O.C.

14. Criminal proceedings are initiated against the Champions Yacht Club for all the reasons mentioned in all the above 13 points.

Kindly act with urgency,

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

        Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Goa State Unit

        Sd/-

Rohidas Andrade,

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha

Tiswadi Taluka Unit

          Sd/-

Sanjay Harmalkar

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Divar Unit

        Sd/-

Aaron D’Mello,

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Old Goa Unit

Pontoon approvals in Mandovi a fraud

Date: 15^th May 2015

To,

The Chairman,

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA),

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Panjim, Goa

Sub:- Objections to Pontoon in Mandovi

Sir,

We have come through know from the minutes of the 113^th meeting of GCZMA held on 26^th February 2015 (case no. 7.5, page 32) that GCZMA has granted permission to M/s Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt. Ltd in order to construct floating pontoon jetty in river Mandovi river adjacent to the plot bearing Survey no. 2/5, Panelim Village, Old Goa.

Site inspection report cited in the minutes points out “Any structure within river is bound to cause upstream and / or downstream erosion and / or accretion. Such activities need an EIA from competent authorities as stipulated in the CRZ 2011 rules.

Thereafter it is mentioned that “after detailed discussion and due deliberations and on considering the report of the site inspection conducted on 10/10/2014 by Dr. Antonio Mascarenhas, Expert member of GCZMA, the authority decided to approve  the proposal for the proposed construction of floating pontoon jetty in river Mandovi adjacent to the plot bearing Survey no. 2/5, Panelim village, Old Goa, Tiswadi Taluka, by M/s Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt. Ltd with a condition that  the applicant should not carry out any land reclamation in the said area and further the Authority decided to direct the applicant to plant at least 200 mangroves in the property in consultation with the Forest Department and Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB)”

Bharat Mukti Morcha considers this approval to M/s Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt. Ltd to construct 18 meters long and 10 meters deep floating Pontoon Jetty in Old Goa as fraud as the observation of Expert Member Antonio Mascarenhas to carry on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under CRZ 2011 rules before construction has been over looked and the transcripts of the “detailed discussion and due deliberations” held during the meeting are not recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for detail EIA report as well as Public Hearing on this and approvals granted to Pontoon Jetty construction by GCZMA as well as Captain of Ports must be revoked with immediate effect as it is nothing more than fraud.

Anticipating your quick action,

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

           Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa Unit

            Sd/-

Sanjay Harmalkar

Convener, Diwar Unit

          Sd/-

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim Unit

         Sd/-

 Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra Unit