DPR for Goa rivers dredging

These are detail project reports (DPR) for rivers in India specially the links https://iwai.nic.in/waterways/dpr-report. These rivers are studied for the purpose of dredging. 

Fishing will be completely destroyed if dredging activities are carried on in rivers. 

In Goa too Rivers such as Chapora, Mapusa, Mandovi, Cumbarjua, Zuari features amongst those whose DPR is completed by Inland Waterways Authority of India.

Fishing communities will loose their livelihoods completely if these projects are realized.

Now is the time to reach out to fishing communities and organise into Unions.

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

Plastic menace in Goa rivers

20 Februrary 2024

To,

Shri Aleixo Sequeira,

The Minister of Environment, 

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Principal Secretary 

(Environment)

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

Subject: Plastic menace in rivers of Goa

Sir,

Greetings from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union!

We wish to draw your urgent attention to the Plastic menace in Goa's rivers. So much of Plastic waste directly being disposed in Goa's rivers has created situation so dangerous not only for our Fishing activities but also to the health of our all rivers and Arabian Sea. During fishing our gillnets trap so much of Plastic thrash including plastic bags. Often it is the case when we harvest more Plastic in our fishing nets than fish.

Moreover in several patched rivers bed is covered with plastics thereby disrupting fish spawning activities specially of various benthic species that needs unhindered direct riverbed access.

We discussed this issued in our Union meetings and decided to approach your office in order get Goa's rivers specially Zuari and Mandovi free from Plastic menace.

You are therefore requested to take all the required steps to address this problem including the following:

1. Ban on manufacture of Plastic specially bags in Goa.

2. Ban of sale and purchase of Plastic bags.

3. Ban on entry of Plastic bags into Goa.

4. Public awareness programs at all levels to educate people including households, ferry boat staff, fishing communities, students, religuous institutions, comsumer organisations, retail shops, coastal hotels, beach shacks, trawlers, waters sports companies, casino vessels in floating in Mandovi etc against dumping of Plastic in rivers.

5. Launch program to clean up all Goa's rivers of existing Plastic dumped and disposing of the same as per exiting regulations.

6. Introduction of river rescue boats on Goa's rivers to fetch floating Plastic.

7. Formation of special task force under Ministry of Environment to clean up coastal areas and rivers of Plastic menace.

8. Recommend to Government of India to impose ban on manufacture of Plastic as it has created consequences that are beyond control and we are at the receiving end facing negative consequences.

Kindly give up person hearing to discuss the above point personally with you.

Your timely and quick response will be highly appreciated.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

(President)

Laximan Mangueshkar 

(Secretary)

Highway Versus Sal river

The main flow of the Sal river has been blocked in order to carry forward with the new 4 lane highway project near the wholesale fish market, Madel, Margao. Complete blockage of the flow of the river, it may be temporary or permanent but it is totally unethical and has long term effects on the ecology of the river as a whole.

To make matters worse the river bed has been dug up furthermore and filled up with concrete which will cause permanent damage to the Sal which is already in a pathetic state due to sewage discharge. There were definitely alternate ways to carry on with the work without causing such a  disaster however this is the sad reality.

The water flowing down our rivers is vital to the natural equilibrium of the planet and its climate. It’s like the blood circulating through your body. If your bloodflow were blocked, you’d get cardiovascular disease, maybe even a heart attack. Well, blocking rivers is like intentionally blocking your veins and expecting no problems. 

It is my humble request to the locals and authorities to take keen interest in this river which has seen much better days in the past.

Samuel Aaron Afonso M.Sc. Carmona, Goa

What sense do we make of draft Jetty Policy 2022?

Draft Jetty Policy 2022 was released on September 12, 2022 by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa. It makes it mandatory for any objections/suggestions to be emailed to pmu@goa-tourism.com within 500 words and within 15 days. 

It doesn't quote any law by which objections/ suggestions to be given within 500 words and within 15 days. Hence it is totally a completely arbitrary. 

15 deadline culminates on September 27, 2022, the same day one month deadline culminates for TCP draft regulations 2022. 

Draft Jetty Policy is formulated with an objective of securing economies of various existing vessel operators. So vessel operators are major player that intent to take people of Goa as hostages thereby further intensifying December 1961 Annexure of Goa through conquest as observed by Supreme Court of India in Shantilal Gosalia Judgement.

Draft Policy seeks to be applicable for all passenger cruise vessel operators excluding casinos, personal boats, barges, ferries and other transport vessels which do not cater to Tourism and leisure segments.

Policy seeks to expand infrastructure for Tourism by clearing way for jetties,  floating pontoons, Jetty terminal buildings etc.

Draft Policy provides for further strengthening of Jetty Management Committee formed in 2016 as per following composition:

1. Secretary (Tourism), Head

2. Director, Department of Tourism

3. Managing Director, GTDC

4. Captain of Ports

5. Two nominated active members from Goa Boat Cruise Association

6. SP, Coastal Police

7. River and Navigation Department,  Government of Goa 

Jetty Management Committee (JMC) has be entrusted with responsibility to evolve methodology and establishing carrying capacity of any river in Goa thereby regulating number of vessels including freezing of their capacities.

JMC has been bestowed with powers to recommend development of any new Tourism centric Jetty in Goa along with ancillary tourism activities.

Other roles and responsibilities of JMC includes:

1. Power to recommend activities to the relevant authorities or undertaking through private parties, including Dredging, Creation of floating pontoons, floating concrete for the safety and convenience of tourists.

2. To undertake independent activities like carrying capacity study and enforcement of the results for the improvement of overall Tourism in the State.

3. Review of Demand for water based Tourism activities across Goa and take suitable action for improvement of the same.

Dredging of river, water sports and passenger cruise boats in rivers is in direct conflict with fishing activities. 

While this Draft Jetty Policy 2022 seeks to disrupt fishing in Goa's river, draft Goa Land Development and Building Construction (Ammendment) Regulation, 2022 seeks to disrupt agriculture in Goa. Though issued from different departments its source is common: Government of Goa. The beneficiaries are common: Tourism industry. Motive is common: Profits. Those at receiving end are common: People of Goa engaged in Agriculture and fishing, and those who live paddy rice and marine fish as food. Calamity it will create is common: food insecurity and generation of unemployment by destroying fishing and Agriculture. Nature of Oppression and Oppresion of Nature is common: Further conquest of Goa. According to Supreme Court of India Goa was annexed to India through conquest in 1961 December as per Shantilal Gosalia case.

May God guide us grant us victory as we move further to defend Goa once again.

Letter to MLA Eng. Cruz Silva: Stop Dredging of River Sal and No to any floating Jetty at Tarivaddo, Assolna

 

Dangerous Consequences of incuding Mormugao Port Trust under Major Port Authorities Act 2021

 ALL GOA SMALL SCALE RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES UNION  

190, Nauxi, Bambolim, Tiswadi, Goa. 403 206 

______________________________________

Date: 22/10/2021

To,  

Shri Shripad Yesso Naik,

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from North Goa,

Union Minister of Shipping, National Waterways and Ports

Government of India

Old Goa, 

Goa 

To, 

Shri Fransisco Sardinha,

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from South Goa, 

To, 

Shri Vinay Tendulkar,

Member of Parliament ( Rajya Sabha) from Goa

Subject: Dangerous consequences for Goa due to inclusion of Mormugao Port under Major Port Authorities Act 2021 

Sir, 

Government of India through an extraordinary issue of Gazette of India (Part II, Section 1) dated February 18, 2021 has published Major Port Authorities Act 2021 after receiving assent of the President of India on February 17, 2021. Passing of this law without consulting Goa's fishing communities and public has posed major dangers to Goa, its fishing based livelihoods and other ramifications because of the following reasons: 

1. Section 1 (3) has has included Mormugao Port where in this law will be made applicable within 90 days of its passing. That means this law will take effect from May 20, 2021. 

2. Section 2(1)(y) has definition of "port limit". Draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) has marked several patched inside Goa's rivers as "port limit" there by creating grounds to attract application of Major Port Act, 2021. Definition under section 2 (1) states " Port limit in relation to a major port, means the limits including any piers, jetties, landing places, wharves, quayside, docks and other werks made on behalf of the Public for convenience of traffic, for safety of vessels or for the improvement, maintenance or good governance of the Major Port and its approaches whether within or without high water mark, and subject to any right of private property there in, any portion of the shore or bank within fifty yards of high-water mark and the area of such Major Port as may be determined by the Central Government by way of notification from time to time." 

3. Section 25 empowers Board of each major port covered under this law to prepare it's own master plan "in respect of any development or infrastructure established or proposed to be established with the port limits and the land appurtenant thereto and such master plan shall be independent of any local or State Government regulations of any authority whatsoever : Provided that in case of any conflict between the master plan created by the Board and any local authority, the master plan created by the Board shall prevail." 

4. Section 22(3) states "The Board of each Major Port may erect, construct or build such civil structures for port development or improving commerce and trade in national interest for which no regulatory license or approval from the State authorities shall be required, unless so mandated by the Central Government. " The Panchayats, Municipalities and even Government of Goa is divested of all the decision making powers within port limits which draft CZMP has spread out far and wide needlessly to facilitate notification of port limit by Central government. Even M.L.A roles will become redundant with all the powers concentrating in the hand of Board of Major Port. 

5. Section 23 is dealing with acquisition of land that is known in legal terms as immovable property. This provision states "Where any immovable property is required for the purpose of the Board, the Central Government or as the case may be, the State Government may, at the request of the Board, procure the acquisition thereof under the provisions of Right of Fair Compensation and Transparency Act, 2013 or any other law for the time being in force, and on payment by the Board, the compensation awarded under that Act and of the charged incurred by the Government in connection with the proceedings, the land shall shall vest in the Board". Its land outside the port limit. Land within port limits automatically comes under Board Jurisdiction after central government notification. 

6. Section 21(a) states "The Board of the Major Port Authority shall be the successor of the Board of Trustees constituted under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963." 

7. Section 75 (1) states "The Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 is hereby repealed." 

8. The Board of Major Port Authority according to Section 3 (1) consists of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, One member each from Concerned State Government, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Defence, and Customs, Department of Revenue. Not less than two and not exceeding four Independent Members. One Member -not below the rank of Director - nominated by the Central Government, ex officio; and two Members representing the interests of the employees of the Major Port Authority." Local Panchayats, Municipalities, MLAs has no powers to appoint Members to the Board of Major Port Authority. 

9. Section 4 (1) States "The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Board shall be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of a select committee consisting of such manner, as may be prescribed." There is no transparency as to who and how select committee itself is formed. 

10. Section 3(2) makes Major Port autonomous and allows it to function as a landlord. The provision of this section states "The Board of each Major Port Authority under this Act shall be a permanent body having perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold or dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract, and shall by the said name sue or be sued." 

This Law passed in the Parliament of India and assented to by the President of India is draconian and oppressive designed towards Blue grab of Goa's coastal area, riparian area and even the hinterlands. Constitution of India under Article 51-A (g) empowers citizens as a fundamental duty "to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures." Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 is an anti-thesis of above cited Article 51-A(g) as it is designed - besides destruction of political institutions of democracy - ecocide of Goa's ecology by promoting various lethal coastal disruptions as they will be covered up as in "National Interest" as provided under section 22(3). 

In exercise of Fundamental Duty under Article 51-A(g) you are requested to pay attention to points raised above, express your dissent publicly and communicate your views to the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, Member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. For the safety of Goa, its democracy and ecology Mormugao Port must be excluded from the applicability of Major Port Authorities Bill, 2021. People of Goa are not consulted before passing of this draconian law just the way we were not consulted before passing of National Wayetways Act 2016 wherein six rivers of Goa were included as National Waterways. 

Industrialization of Rivers, Industrialization of our Coasts are not Good for us in Goa. Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 is meant to usher in intensification of Industrialization of Goa's coast to facilitate another Ecologically disastrous project named Sagarmala, marinas at Nauxim and Sancoale, coal handling, construction of fresh jetties, double tracking of Railway tracks connecting port, decimation of western Ghats forest at Mollem etc. 

No nation can prosper by destroying the foundation of Economy. Foundation of Economy is ecology. It is in the national interest that Goa's ecology is protected at all costs from Major Port Authorities Act, 2021. 

We call upon you to speak up fearlessly. communicate boldly, articulate clearly and get Parliament of India to go for ammendment to delete Murmagao Port Trust from Major Ports Act 2021. 

Thanking you,  

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar,

Secretary

Copy to:  

1. Director of Fisheries, Panjim, Goa 

2. Convenor, National Platform for Small Scale  Fish Workers 

When Maggie dived to defend Goa's rivers

Today August 22, 2021 its 83 days since death of Margarida Carmo Silveira. She died on June 01, 2021. On this occasion let's revisit her powerful involvement amongst fishing communities of Goa. Maggie - as she was known - has predominant effective involvement  as the President of Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit was on Vanxim scam in Mandovi River. In 2014 She dived into Zuari river fishing communities after being approached by them through me. 

The principal contradiction that fishing communities using Gillnets in Zuari river faced was introduction of where sports operating from Hotel Grand Hyatt that disrupted gillnet fishing in Zuari river creating sound pollution and cutting away of fishing nets. After studying documentation supplied by fishing communities and close scrutiny of the nature of problem Maggie whole heartedly supported the cause of fishing communities of Zuari river. She began with petitioning the government authorities on the letterhead of Bharat Mukti Morcha as authorized by National President Waman Meshram. One of Maggie's characteristic is that she never got involved with superficial understanding and investigated deeply, thoughroughly, continuesly. 

After effective intervention fishing communities from Odxel, Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim and Siridao brought the issue of illegal fishing in Zuari river by trawlers. Bharat Mukti Morcha Press Conferences in Panjim began to get organized output of information that drew significant amount of print and electronic media attention. Coverage in mefia began to gradually increase; authorities began to take note of the issues raised by fishing communities of these villages. 

Third major issue that came about is regarding leasing out of over three lakh square meters of land under Zuari river water front to set up two Marinas, one at Nauxim and second one at Sancoale for 30 years. Protest erupted secind time in 2015 and and fishing communities in Nauxim decided to put the banner of Bharat Mukti Morcha as the group that organized the Protest meeting. Maggie not only consented but was there at the Nauxim meeting against Marinas in 2015 and its photograph and reports are available on Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit blog. 

Maggie's observations and interventions were deeply insightful. The way she intervened in the presence of political heavy weights is worth recounting. It was already established that hotel Grand Hyatt in Bambolim is declared illegal by one of the Judgements of Goa Bench of Bombay High Court. At the Nauxim river Bank meeting that was hugely attended by Public and Maggie asked pointed questions to then MLA late Vushnu Wagh and then ex-MLA of St. Andre Cknstituency Francis Silveira. Maggie's question fired at both of them: How did this Hotel Grand Hyatt came about illegally when you'll are MLA and ex-MLA ?  None of them had any answers to Maggie's question fielded at them publicly. Francis Silveira did not answer to her even privately. Vishnu Wagh replied to her after some months after recovery from first heart attack. Wagh told Maggie not exactly about how Hotel Grand Hyatt came up illegal in Bambolim but how Jaydev Modi had set up casino at Hotel Grand Hyatt illegally without his permission and if he had to enjoy good health then he would sit on hunger strike outside the gate of Grand Hyatt. Wagh had meeting with Maggie in his office when he was Deputy speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. He had promised Maggie to raise the issue of Vanxim scam in the Assembly but did not raise. Maggie was disappointed with him. She told me if Vushnu Wagh had to raise the issue of Vanxim he would have been not only remembered by people but would have had God's blessings on him for speaking out righteously. Few days later Vushnu Wagh's speech went off followed by prolonged sickness and death. 

One must acknowledge that Vushnu Wagh took Objections from Bharat Mukti Morcha on Marinas very seriously and made sure that Maggie participated in protest meeting Nauxim. However he ignored all the letters from Bharat Mukti Morcha regarding illegal fishing in Zuari by trawlers and purse seine fishing boats. We have not understood as why he behaved in this manner. 

While meeting Vishnu Wagh at Goa Legislative Assembly complex Maggie got to hear powerful speech of Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardessai against six Goa rivers being declared as National Waterways. This was how Maggie and I got introduced to the issue of Goa's rivers. When Vijay Sardesai's Goa Forward Party took U-turn and started supporting National Waterways Goa Maggie put Bharat Mukti Morcha to play catalytic role to build up effective resistence. Vishnu Wagh gave tickets of speaker's gallery to Maggie watched Goa State Assembly proceedings first hand. She heard Michael Lobo speaking inside the Assembly saying that Casinos if needs shifting from River Mandovi then they must be given advance notice of five years! From Michael Lobo's speech Maggie realized depth of gambling control over in Goa and how they have captured mouth and brains of Goa Legislators. From this incident Maggie refrained from any contacts with Michael Lobo for she had earlier called him up to support opposition to Marinas in Zuari. And Michael Lobo had supported her but few years later on he desired Marina in Nauxim to be shifted to Calangute! 

Maggie's involvement not only stretched from her Vanxim island Mandovi to Zuari but had direct confrontational engagement with neighboring Divar Island. She smelled something sinister over the way nearly 10 crores were sanctioned by agriculture department spent to build bunds around Divar near Sao Pedro Ribandar Ferry Jetty without permission from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. Traditional Sluice gates were destroyed. When Maggie objected hell broke loose. Contractor came at her residence at night to plead not to block and promised her that sluice gates will be restored to the original. Till date this promise has not been realized and contractor is not to be seen anywhere. Maggie was served with threats via then Vanxim panch Greta Vaz of violence against her for involvement in Divar. Nelson Azavedo from Communidade had meeting with Maggie and told her that India's CRZ laws are not applicable to Divar Island communidade land. Then Goltim Sarpanch Prasad Harmalkar phoned Maggie while she approached Agriculture department in Panjim and told her not to stop the work of bund in Divar as he worked hard for many years to get sanctioned. Agriculture department had no permission from GCZMA to interfere with bunds in Divar and Maggie found it was totally and completely illegal. 

Maggie was suspecting that the way bund Divar are being reshaped in order to create access benefit Subhakar Rao and his water aggression fake fishing venture known as Champions Island rather than benefiting farmers. Maggie did not get necessary support from people of Divar except from few handful like Roque Menezes and Tomas Rodrigues and she felt disappointed. However the issues she uncovered in the process are valuable and needs serious thought and action. 

Divar Island is being attempted to be taken over by World Bank according to Some sources. They want fortified embankment around entire island and want to set up fire station on island beside bridge. 

Maggie fought valiantly and she was single minded in her attacks against former defense Minister of India who attempted to publicly defend declaration of Goa's six rivers as National Waterways. She co-ordinated smoothly with several people including Sadanand Vaigankar who published full fledged criticism against declaration of Goa's rivers as National Waterways in his print magazine. 

While Maggie was active in Goa information somehow got disseminated far and wide. Pradip Chaterjee contacted, then visited Goa and Maggie played important role as a national council member, National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers. She visited Delhi and Kolkata before the Pandemic to participate in key workshops and decision making process. 

Formation of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union is a fruit of Maggie's abilities for team work. We need to strengthen this Union as it has very important role to play being the Frontline stewards of the Sea. 

It is difficult for any one to take Maggie's place in terms of her depth and steadfast commitment to fishing communities. Yet the path that she left traced is full of daring legacy for us to pick up courage and move ahead even though we swim against the tide and hurdles are many. But ahead we must go for staying silent and numb is suicidal and stagnating. 

Fishing as a food is facing enormous challenges today. Government of India is determined to enact Fisheries law that is non-transparant and hostile to ecology and small scale traditional fishing communities in India. 

Beyond fishing, Government is also trying to introduce food fortification for nutritious food to fulfill wishes of global tyrants.  Time has come to stay in grace and rebel. Are we going to face this challenge? Certainly together we will! 

God Bless Us All!

Sebastian Rodrigues.

Goa Special Ferry 454.54% price hike: protest letters to Chief Minister, River Navigation Minister

Date: March 09, 2020

To,

The Chief Minister,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Minister for River Navigation,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa

Subject: Protest against Special Ferry Price Hike notification

Sir,

It has come to our attention through notice pasted on Vanxim ferry that River and Navigation department has hiked fare of Special Ferry service from Rs.55/- to Rs.250/-: 454.54% hike on all routes in Goa. We write to express our strong protests as that will adversely affect the public navigating over rivers using Government Ferry service.We would like to remind you that Special Ferry service system was started after an incident in the decade of 1990s wherein Ferry at Vanxim refused to ply at mid-night (00.30 hours) in emergency situation of taking sick person for medical assistance. Late Ligorio F. Silveira brought this issue to the attention of then Captain of Ports and Special Ferry Service system was stared to cater to all needs of plying beyond regular hours.

You are therefore requested to roll back your proposal to hike the special ferry costs and keep it at current rate of Rs.55/-.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State

Objections to the Blue Economy assault on Goa’s rivers

Date: February 27, 2020

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Objections to the Blue Economy assault on Goa’s rivers

Sir/Madam,

It has come to our attention from the reports in media that Goa Government through your office is in the process of launching major assault on Goa’s rivers by setting up Jetties in various parts of Goa without holding Public hearing under the pretext that they are floating Jetties. It has also come to our attention that your office is all set to launch another major assault on Goas rivers by initiating dredging of various rivers of Goa like Chapora, Mandovi, Sal, Cumbharjua and Zuari without holding Public Hearings for the same.

Because of irresponsible attitude of your office barges has already created siltation of Goa’s major rivers like Mandovi, Zuari and Cumbharjua and recorded in the minutes of Goa State Pollution Board first meeting held on October 05^th 1988 destroying precious marine ecology of these rivers and still remains in a same state. Your office carried on EIA of Chapora river but why is it not shared with Public?

Because of irresponsible attitude of your office six of Goa’s rivers are declared as National Waterways without consulting fishing communities of these rivers. Because of irresponsible attitude of your office Mandovi river is conquered and assaulted by off shore casinos denying valuable space for small scale fishers.

Dredging is a major assault on marine life and your office is not bothered about it as if no one in your office is eating fish nor your office is bothered about hundreds of peoples engaged in fishing activities in Goa’s rivers. Dredging for Shipping purposes are known to create several problems such as Air and water pollution, sea floor erosion, wave and current regime alterations, introduction of invasive species, underwater noise pollution, land use change, water front congestion, health and labour issues and number of other ecologically destabilizing practices, environmental injustice, unequal power relations and social conflicts. Dredging of Mandovi river by Champions island has damaged marine ecology as informed by local fishermen from Diwar island and several marine species has disappeared.

Your decisions to set up Jetties and dredging of rivers is in violation of Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) India is signatory to SSF Guidelines and has committed to their enforcement via Article 54 of the National Marine Fisheries Policy 2017. It is also violation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): 14 Life under water. Government widened roads to make them six land and destroyed several paddy field and people dependent upon the same. Now your office is determined to destroy livelihood of several more fisher people by destroying marine ecology to promote shipping industry. Shame!

Your are therefore requested to immediately respect Goa’s rivers and its marine ecology, stay away from launching assaults in the form of construction Jetties and Dredging of rivers for Shipping purpose in Goa. Destroying Goa’s rivers by your office will only aggravate situation of hunger that currently stands at 7000 deaths per day as per community kitchen case proceedings in Supreme Court of India.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State & National Council Member of National Platform of Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland)  

Eight burning issues facing fishers in Goa

Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit along with National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland) urgently calls upon government attention to the issues confronting fisheries in Goa.

1. Threats to subsidies for fishers in India due to ongoing negotiations by India at World Trade Organisation. We call upon Prime Minister of India to assert and defend subsidies to fishers in India.

2. Continues illegal trawling and purse seine in Zuari River from January 16, 2020 has caused damage to river as well as negatively affected livelihood of small scale gill net fishers. We call upon Goa Government to restore administration that is in collapsed state in Zuari river and apprehend offenders.

3. The National Fisheries Development Board Bill 2019 is in violation of Constitution of India as it seeks to corporatize and privatize fishing sector, infringe upon State government power to legislate and regulate fisheries in up to territorial waters of India (12 nautical miles). We are opposed to this and calls upon central government to desist from enacting such a law.

4. Goa government must refrain from enforcing Sagarmala Project with Central Government collaboration in constructing Jetties for cargo handling. Goa’s six rivers has been declared as National Waterways in 2016 without consulting fishing communities who stands to perish in event of dredging of rivers. Expert Appraisal Committee of MoEF&CC in response to application from Inland Waterways Authority of India - on behalf of 228 mining barges - has directed to hold Public hearing before undertaking dredging of Mandovi, Zuari and Cumbharjua rivers. Should mining industry be allowed to ruin rivers the way it ruined western ghats forest and paddy fields of hinterlands of Goa to stock looted wealth in Swiss bank and others?

5. National Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2018 formulated by Central government without directing State governments to hold consultations with fishers. We call upon State government to explain this policy with fishers and translate in languages that they understand and speak.

6. India signed Voluntary Guidelines for Small Scale Fisheries in 2014 but Goa Government has refrained from implementing the same. We call upon Goa Government to open SSF Guidelines cell to coordinate the enforcement of the same.

7 Fishers are the largest non-consumptive stakeholders of rivers and Goa Government must involve them into process of Rejuvenation of Rivers under focus namely Zuari, Chapora, Tiracol and Sal. Casino vessels in Mandovi river must be stopped to provide way for fishers to carry on their activities as good fish needs good water.

8. Fishers in Goa like many other sections of society are disturbed due to Indian Government laws Citizenship Amendment Act 2019  (CAA)and National Population Register  (NPR) notified in July 2019. These laws reflect abnormal quest for transforming natives of India into foreigners through draconian measures such as making gathered data public, requirement of three generations of birth details that are impossible to come by, shifting to people into detention centers, notification of any law by Central government whose violation will nullify citizenship, application of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to local people will require RBI permission to own property in India. Goa was not represented when the Constitution was framed as Citizenship was extended to Goa only in 1962 through Government Order. The issue of Goa-India relations will arise as to whether People of Goa are foreigners in India or India is foreigner in Goa considering that UN security council resolution S/5033 of 18 December 1961 on Goa is founded on Veto power exercised by a foreign nation – USSR– to support India’s rule in Goa. Genetic Evidence on the Origins of Indian Caste Populations is identified in 2001 study published in Scientific Journal “Genome Research” that concluded ‘Our analysis of 40 autosomal markers indicates clearly that the upper castes have a higher affinity to Europeans than to Asians. The high affinity of caste Y chromosomes with those of Europeans suggests that the majority of immigrating West Eurasians may have been males.’ The case of Fr. Chico Monteiro - on how he was tried, imprisoned, tortured, released from Patiala jail in exchange of Goan Political prisoner in Portugal, and after his return to Goa his movement were monitored and confined within borders of Goa - is still fresh in public memory. The enactments of these laws are meant to deprive natives of Goa of their land at any cost in order to subject them into slavery in detention centers. We call for repeal of Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 and de-notification of National Population Register. Fishers of Goa are natives of the land and we call for Amendment of Constitution of India in order to allow Dual citizenship as Portugal has granted citizenship to several Goan natives and several of them are from fishing communities from villages such as Siridao etc. The enactment of these laws symbolizes theft of freedom and ushering in of slavery dedicated towards transforming largest democracy in the world into largest dictatorship in the world.

Maggie Silveira

President, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit

National Council member, National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland)

Defense of Goa’s Rivers and adamant Indian Government

In spite of overwhelming protests across Goa Indian government has still not amended law to delete six Goa’s rivers from the Schedule of the National Waterways Act 2016. This raises many questions on nature of Indian State and relationship with Goa. Brief examination is attempted here to understand prevailing State adamancy.

Goa’s historical situation

Goa was brought under the rule of India in 1961 violating Constitution of India Article 51(d) that read as “The Sate shall endevour to encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration”.  India annexed Goa through military action beginning from 17^th December 1961 and ended on 19^th December 1961. During this period India sent it nearly 30,000 soldiers to defeat 2,000 Portuguese soldiers. In fact official status of Indian armed entry in Goa is construed as “invasion” at the 987^th and 988^th meetings of the United Nations Security Council. Indian action was internationally sustained only though an exercise of veto power by USSR. Portugal continued to have strained relations with India for next eleven years till 1972 when Portugal without consulting People of Goa handed over the rights of Governance of Goa to India and application of Geneva Convention to Goa pushed under the carpet of public debate just as rights of People of Goa for self-determination under Article 2 of the UN Charter. India also violated Article 51 (a) “State shall endevour to promote international peace and security” by plans of destroying Goa’s seven rivers and spreading insecurity amongst people of Goa specially fishermen.

This has not been the case with Portuguese colony of East Timor after Portuguese left, Indonesia conquered but due to strong freedom movement from 1998 East Timor is a free nation. Goa was not only betrayed by India and Portugal but also local political and intellectual leadership that failed in courage and clarity to articulate interest of Goa. Dr. Jack Sequeira as well as Dayanadand Bandodkar conspired with each other to politically divide people of Goa as pro-Maharashra and anti-Maharashtra during Opinion Poll. There was no one who was genuinely pro-Goa except perhaps Kid Boxer from Siolim who was arrested from the Tiatr stage in Mapusa in the first year of India Invasion of Goa in 1961 when he sang “Tum bhitor sorlai chukon, mottoloi sukon; dusreacho des pochonam". Kid Boxer, after his arrested was imprisoned for six months in Nasik as per the firsthand account from Anthony Veronica Fernandes from Candolim. Opinion Poll served to create intellectual distraction of masses of Goa. In merger issue that was forced on Goa successfully neutralized stamina people to challenge India’s conquest of Goa. Similar divisive agenda was further strengthened in 1986 language agitation where in intellectuals’ manipulated masses to fight amongst them over language issue Konkani versus Marathi rather than question Indian rule through conquest of Goa.  In fact there was only handful who demonstrated courage as well as clarity of thought to challenge Indian conquest of Goa. One of them was late Pri. Chico Monteiro from Candolim and Goa owes special tribute to this man on his approaching 100^th birth anniversary. He was arrested by Indian State, tried and imprisoned in Chandigarh only to be set free by Indian Supreme Court after many decades in prison.

This background is important to understand the plight of Goa’s rivers today under Indian rule. It is under section 2(3) of the National Waterways Act 2016 that Goa Rivers are “hereby declared to be national waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation.” After conquering Goa in 1961 India has intensified its exploitation of Goa through rivers: Chapora, Mapusa/Moide, Mandovi, Cumbharjua, Zuari and Sal river are declared as National Waterways from 26^th March 2016. Pranab Mukherjee gave Presidential assent to river grab masquerading as law. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who promised Goa Special Status to defend and protect its environment is all set to preside over funeral pyre of Goa’s seven rivers. This law shifts legal control of these rivers to central government directly. The state government as well as Municipalities and Panchayats has no powers. Goa’s local self governing autonomous institutions – Communidades were destroyed soon after 1961 conquest of Goa by making them legally toothless with introduction of Panchayati Raj system. New Zealand Colonial State of the white imperialism also initiated similar measures and indigenous people – Maoris – fought back for number of generations from 1840 onwards. It is no doubt that The National Waterways Act 2016 reflects speedy transformation of India as a colonial predator state. The resistance movement has to take these factors into account and get prepared for a prolonged anti-colonial struggle for freedom.

Interests and Parties

M/s National Waterways Authority of India approached National Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forest to seek permissions for dredging of Mandovi, Zuari and Cumbharjua rivers. The Authority’s application came up for discussion on 24^th October 2016. Authority advocated interests of 228 barges plying in these three rivers and argued that dredging is needed for the smooth movement round the year. Inland Water Transport is expected to handle around 22-24 MTPA traffic by Financial Year 2020 which will be facilitated by current barge fleet (capacity 80 million tons). Initial dredging for maintaining 3.2 m LAD will be sufficient for enabling the vessels to ply round the year. Total dredging quantity will be about 3 Mm³. Dredging to be disposed off beyond the disposal area of Mormugao Port Trust towards Seaside.  National Appraisal Committee directed them to prepare and EIA and conduct Public Hearings in Goa which are not done till date even as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is vexing eloquent on the issue to set nationalize seven rivers and construct Jetties in Mandovi river.

It may be noted that dredging that was carried on at MPT for deepening of approach channels for bigger ships to facilitate coal imports in Goa to be transported to Karnataka to Jindal’s (JSW) power plant is already proved to have caused environmental damage and NGT in 2017 has stopped further dredging. It is a perverse logic that when dredging is already proved to have caused ecological damage near MPT, seven more rivers be subjected to dredging that will destroy fishing spaces totally in rivers of Goa as evident from draft MoUs available with Captain of Ports on seven rivers under reference. Central Government has never consulted people of Goa before taking the decision on declaring Goa’s rivers as National Waterways. In fact it is the Goa’s mining barges that approached National Waterways Authority of India (NWAI) to get Goa’s rivers under its control for dredging purpose. When the Chairman of NWAI visited Goa on 21^st January 2010 he only had discussions with officials connected with MPT, Captain of Ports, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Goa Barge Owners Association. No Panchayats, Municipalities, Communidades, masses were consulted. This has created tremendous anger amongst people of Goa and indirectly confirms Goa as Colony of India marked for plunder and loot. On 8^th August 2016 Fatorda Independent MLA Vijay Sardessai spoke in the Goa State Legislative Assembly for couple of hours criticizing this decision as solely beneficial solely to the corporate houses of Jindals, Adanis and Vedanta, and Goa’s rivers will without fish. In fact it is this issue of rivers that won public sympathy to his newly floated political outfit – Goa Forward Party and won three seats in Goa’s 40 members Assembly making strategically important element for Government formation. However after storming in power and ministerial berths to all its MLA’s Goa forward abandoned its opposition citing compromise with Central government and joined NDA government thereby causing open betrayal of People of Goa.

Credentials of Barges

One report suggests that there are two interest parties behind getting rivers as national waterways in Goa: Cargo and Tourism. While tourism interests are in the form of proposals to marinas, floating jetties and casinos in various rivers of Goa are already questionable, cargo of minerals and coal is of particular official disrepute in Goa. Minutes of the very first meeting of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) held on 5^th October 1988 calls few points for special attention in Goa. Three of them are worth sharing here. The first one: “Pollution of Inland waterways by movement of barges and other vessels.” This means that as early as 1988 barges were reputed to have been causing pollution to rivers mainly Mandovi and its tributaries, Zuari and its tributaries and Cumbharjua Canal. NWAI has become an advocate of barges that are notorious for polluting these three rivers! These barges were serving mining industry to transport ore to MPT for exports; still does with Coal import being an additional major factor. Pollution caused by barges and shipyards is largely under focused in Goa. Cyril George, MPT Chairman put it aptly in an interview to local English daily Herald on 17/06/2015  “People should understand that there are so many shipyards not following environmental laws, besides there are barges along the Zuari river bay and each of these barges has created health hazards, environmental hazards, besides pollution. These aspects are ignored.” Mining has been even more lethal as recorded in the same minutes as “Mining Industry being a major polluting industry in Goa” and needs special attention of GSPCB. Protests of mining pollution affected people were crushed using Police force from the decade of 1970s when mechanization of mining industry began. Interestingly same minutes notes for special attention of GSPCB that “Education of masses on aspects of prevention of pollution”. Today GSPCB has staff of over 140 employees but education of masses on aspects of prevention of pollution was never even attempted.

Likely fall out

Considering masses are mulnivasis and ruling power is with Brahmins of various political parties this situation is understandable. In fact what Vishnu Wagh expressed in his poem “Sudhirsukt” is a reality. Time is pacing up for large scale Parshuram dahan in streets, nooks and corners of Goa. There is an urgent need to disturb and invert this equation between the ruled and the rulers.

Sebastian Rodrigues

28/11/2017 written for Satyagraha magazine in Goa

Indian Constitution and defense of Goa’s Rivers

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures

Article 51A(g), Constitution of India

Constitutional status of rivers

The ongoing articulations of dissent regarding declaration of Goa’s seven rivers as National Waterways have come under increasing public focus. It is however noted even though the issue is debated in media, due to self-censorship and subtle imposed censorship the fundamentals of the issue hardly get attention it deserves. The unprecedented aggression envisaged on Goa’s Rivers calls for historical, social, legal and ethical evaluation of the actions and intentions of Government of India. Article 51A (g) as quoted above is very explicit about defense of rivers along with forest, lakes and wildlife. In fact all these are categories (rivers, lakes, wildlife and forest) are connected to each other and in March 2017 this connection has been expressed very clearly though an act of New Zealand Parliament Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017. Its sections 69 and 70 acknowledges and apologizes to indigenous people – Maoris -  for carrying on development in Wanaganui river including treating river as “highway” for navigation and transportation as envisaged by Government of India though National Waterways Act, 2016. The Article 51A(g) became part of Indian Constitution from January 03, 1977 as a direct fall out of increasing global awareness on environmental issues dramatically pushed to centre stage by Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” and Club of Rome’s “Limits to Growth”. In this sense Constitution of India expanded its ambit of legal and juridical protection so far limited to humans, to nature. At the same time Constitution under Article 48-A provided directive principle to protect and improve environment, something whose violation in Goa with regards to seven rivers is led by Goa Goovernment through media advocacy for signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) for destroying Goa’s rivers for the sake of corporate interests including Jindals, Adani, Timblos, Fomentos, Salgaoncars, Chowgles and Vedanta involved in mining and coal handling at MPT.

Paradox of Implementation

Article 51A(g) makes defense of rivers a duty of every citizen of India, citizens themselves are not aware of the same. They are often neither aware of this provision in the Constitution of India nor sensitive to the dangers our rivers are flowing into. Even worse is that the State rarely propagate the existence of this Article and even as it often creates legal tools for destroying rivers like the Indian State has done through The Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 and insertion of 111 of India’s rivers into this law through The National Waterways Act, 2016. The major forms of assault are in the form of dredging of rivers to allow for bigger ships to move into river with complete control of Central Government with terrible ecological and economic implications. Government of India’s logic as decipherable from its attitude of river grabs is contrary to Article 51A(g) and is motivated by narrow economic logic of making it cheaper for corporate involved in shipping and tourism. Both these laws do not reflect concerns of natural environment. In fact defense and protection of rivers has been discarded from the State agenda. This is what makes it worrisome; Government of India is acting against the provision of Article 51A(g) and has become eligible to be classified as “anti-national” and hence has no reason to be in power that was usurped through manipulation of EVM during last Parliament and State elections. When it is a duty of every citizen of India to protect rivers logically at a time when Government of India is involved in wreckage of Indian rivers it becomes a duty of every citizen of India to rebel and cut off imperialist links operating though state structures. In this sense rebellion becomes duty of every citizen of India. Alas, most of the citizens of India are held in chains of poverty, malnutrition, hunger, and illiteracy that rebellion may not be the on the agenda, worse still suicide has become tendency of masses. Even then middle class and students who have time and inclination, education and necessary skills must address the situation thoughtfully speak out boldly. It is ironical that constitutional duty of every citizen of India is to protect rivers while de facto functional principle of Government of India is to destroy Rivers.

Goa situation

Goa was brought under the rule of India in 1961 violating Constitution of India Article 51(d) that read as “The Sate shall endevour to encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration”.  India annexed Goa through military action beginning from 17^th December 1961 and ended on 19^th December 1961. During this period India sent it nearly 30,000 soldiers to defeat 2,000 Portuguese soldiers. In fact official status of Indian armed entry in Goa is construed as “invasion” at the  987^th and 988^th meetings of the United Nations Security Council. Indian action was internationally sustained only though an exercise of veto power by USSR. Portugal continued to have strained relations with India for next eleven years till 1972 when Portugal without consulting People of Goa handed over the rights of Governance of Goa to India and application of Geneva Convention to Goa pushed under the carpet of public debate just as rights of People of Goa for self-determination under Article 2 of the UN Charter. India also violated Article 51 (a) “State shall endevour to promote international peace and security” by plans of destroying Goa’s seven rivers and spreading insecurity amongst people of Goa specially fishermen.

This has not been the case with Portuguese colony of East Timor after Portuguese left, Indonesia conquered but due to strong freedom movement from 1998 East Timor is a free nation. Goa was not only betrayed by India and Portugal but also local political and intellectual leadership that failed in courage and clarity to articulate interest of Goa. Dr. Jack Sequeira as well as Dayanadand Bandodkar conspired with each other to politically divide people of Goa as pro-Maharashra and anti-Maharashtra during Opinion Poll. There was no one who was genuinely pro-Goa except perhaps Kid Boxer from Siolim who was arrested from the Tiatr stage in Mapusa in the first year of India Invasion of Goa in 1961 when he sang “Tum bhitor sorlai chukon, mottoloi sukon; dusreacho des pochonam". Kid Boxer, after his arrest was improsoned for six months in Nasik as per the first hand account from Anthony Veronica Fernandes from Candolim. Opinion Poll served to create intellectual distraction of masses of Goa. In merger issue that was forced on Goa successfully neutralized stamina people to challenge India’s conquest of Goa. Similar divisive agenda was further strengthened in 1986 language agitation where in intellectuals’ manipulated masses to fight amongst them over language issue Konkani versus Marathi rather than question Indian rule through conquest of Goa.  In fact there was only handful who demonstrated courage as well as clarity of thought to challenge Indian conquest of Goa. One of them was late Pri. Chico Monteiro from Candolim and Goa owes special tribute to this man on his approaching 100^th birth anniversary. He was arrested by Indian State, tried and imprisoned in Chandigarh only to be set free by Indian Supreme Court after many decades in prison.

This background is important to understand the plight of Goa’s rivers today under Indian rule. It is under section 2(3) of the National Waterways Act 2016 that Goa Rivers are “hereby declared to be national waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation.” After conquering Goa in 1961 India has intensified its exploitation of Goa through rivers: Chapora, Mapusa/Moide, Mandovi, Cumbharjua, Zuari and Sal river are declared as National Waterways from 26^th March 2016. Pranab Mukherjee gave Presidential assent to river grab masquerading as law. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who promised Goa Special Status to defend and protect its environment is all set to preside over funeral pyre of Goa’s seven rivers. This law shifts legal control of these rivers to central government directly. The state government as well as Municipalities and Panchayats has no powers. Goa’s local self governing autonomous institutions – Communidades were destroyed soon after 1961 conquest of Goa by making them legally toothless with introduction of Panchayati Raj system. New Zealand Colonial State of the white imperialism also initiated similar measures and indigenous people – Maoris – fought back for number of generations from 1840 onwards. It is no doubt that The National Waterways Act 2016 reflects speedy transformation of India as a colonial predator state. The resistance movement has to take these factors into account and get prepared for a prolonged anti-colonial struggle for freedom.

Interests and Parties

M/s National Waterways Authority of India approached National Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forest to seek permissions for dredging of Mandovi, Zuari and Cumbharjua rivers. The Authority’s application came up for discussion on 24^th October 2016. Authority advocated interests of 228 barges plying in these three rivers and argued that dredging is needed for the smooth movement round the year. Inland Water Transport is expected to handle around 22-24 MTPA traffic by Financial Year 2020 which will be facilitated by current barge fleet (capacity 80 million tons). Initial dredging for maintaining 3.2 m LAD will be sufficient for enabling the vessels to ply round the year. Total dredging quantity will be about 3 Mm³. Dredging to be disposed off beyond the disposal area of Mormugao Port Trust towards Seaside.  National Appraisal Committee directed them to prepare and EIA and conduct Public Hearings in Goa which are not done till date even as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is vexing eloquent on the issue to set nationalize seven rivers and construct Jetties in Mandovi river.

It may be noted that dredging that was carried on at MPT for deepening of approach channels for bigger ships to facilitate coal imports in Goa to be transported to Karnataka to Jindal’s (JSW) power plant is already proved to have caused environmental damage and NGT in 2017 has stopped further dredging. It is a perverse logic that when dredging is already proved to have caused ecological damage near MPT, seven more rivers be subjected to dredging that will destroy fishing spaces totally in rivers of Goa as evident from draft MoUs available with Captain of Ports on seven rivers under reference. Central Government has never consulted people of Goa before taking the decision on declaring Goa’s rivers as National Waterways. In fact it is the Goa’s mining barges that approached National Waterways Authority of India (NWAI) to get Goa’s rivers under its control for dredging purpose. When the Chairman of NWAI visited Goa on 21^st January 2010 he only had discussions with offcials connected with MPT, Captain of Ports, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Goa Barge Owners Association. No Panchayats, Municipalities, Communidades, masses were consulted. This has created tremendous anger amongst people of Goa and indirectly confirms Goa as Colony of India marked for plunder and loot. On 8^th August 2016 Fatorda Independent MLA Vijay Sardessai spoke in the Goa State Legislative Assembly for couple of hours criticizing this decision as solely beneficial solely to the corporate houses of Jindals, Adanis and Vedanta, and Goa’s rivers will without fish. In fact it is this issue of rivers that won public sympathy to his newly floated political outfit – Goa Forward Party and won three seats in Goa’s 40 members Assembly making strategically important element for Government formation. However after storming in power and ministerial berths to all its MLA’s Goa forward abandoned its opposition citing compromise with Central government and joined NDA government thereby causing open betrayal of People of Goa.

Credentials of Barges

One report suggests that there are two interest parties behind getting rivers as national waterways in Goa: Cargo and Tourism. While tourism interests are in the form of proposals to marinas, floating jetties and casinos in various rivers of Goa are already questionable, cargo of minerals and coal is of particular official disrepute in Goa. Minutes of the very first meeting of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) held on 5^th October 1988 calls few points for special attention in Goa. Three of them are worth sharing here. The first one: “Pollution of Inland waterways by movement of barges and other vessels.” This means that as early as 1988 barges were reputed to have been causing pollution to rivers mainly Mandovi and its tributaries, Zuari and its tributaries and Cumbharjua Canal. NWAI has become an advocate of barges that are notorious for polluting these three rivers! These barges were serving mining industry to transport ore to MPT for exports; still does with Coal import being an additional major factor. Pollution caused by barges and shipyards is largely under focused in Goa. Cyril George, MPT Chairman put it aptly in an interview to local English daily Herald on 17/06/2015  “People should understand that there are so many shipyards not following environmental laws, besides there are barges along the Zuari river bay and each of these barges has created health hazards, environmental hazards, besides pollution. These aspects are ignored.” Mining has been even more lethal as recorded in the same minutes as “Mining Industry being a major polluting industry in Goa” and needs special attention of GSPCB. Protests of mining pollution affected people were crushed using Police force from the decade of 1970s when mechanization of mining industry began. Interestingly same minutes notes for special attention of GSPCB that “Education of masses on aspects of prevention of pollution”. Today GSPCB has staff of over 140 employees but education of masses on aspects of prevention of pollution was never even attempted. Considering masses are mulnivasis and ruling power is with Brahmins of various political parties this situation is understandable. In fact what Vishnu Wagh expressed in his poem “Sudhirsukt is a reality”. Time is pacing up for large scale Parshuram dahan in streets, nooks and corners of Goa. There is an urgent need to disturb and invert this equation between the ruled and the rulers.

Mass revolt must

Currently situation visible is that of mass awakening all over Goa over the issue of Declaration Rivers of Goa as National waterways by Indian government without consulting masses of Goa and the related issues of Coal import and to widening of Highways and railways. If the plans of Ministry of Shipping of the Indian Government are not foiled then Goa would end up being Goa and turn into Coal hub with dense pollution affecting life Goa terribly, creating Public Health crisis and shying away tourists permanently. In this agitation environment protection must merge with mulnivasi protection! If Goa people were not part of India Goa’s rivers would never have been subjected to rape by Indian Government as it is being sought to be done now after ripping Goa’s mountains and plains off through mining industry for past five and half decades carried forward from Portuguese grants for mining from 1929 onwards. Nor People of Goa would have been subjected to the nasty Indian surveillance through Aadhaar Card. Soares-Chavan New Delhi Treaty of 1972 between Portugal and India only confirms that Goa was a foreign territory to India and it needed official understanding on Goa between European nation of Portugal and Asian Country of India. Currently Article 51A (g) is dynamic motivator to act towards comprehensive defense of rivers in Goa and other rivers in India as well. This article is written as an authoritative expression of author’s Fundamental duty as Indian Citizen under Article 51A (g) and published under Article 19, both of the Constitution of India as a voice to Goa’s threatened rivers and threatened People.

Sebastian Rodrigues
03/11/2017 written for Satyagraha magazine in Goa