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

Noah's arch anchors in Mandovi

Last Saturday July 21, 2018 at Bookworm library was time for special close up look at Mandovi River. One who guided was a professional Architect Noah Fernandes from School of Planing and Architecture, Delhi. Aided by slides Noah journeyed through geography, history, sociology, economics and ecology of mandovi river banks and mouth.  It was indeed fascinating to attend to his presentation and further participate in a discussion in a flow. Few points that figured for discussions must not be rested in the lecture room of the hosts who organized but must be given privileged position in wider public domain. With this intend we record few points of public importance that came up from this lecture and subsequent discussions.

1. Pr-Portuguese Goa had Goa's Mandovi river bank managed by Communidades. Panchayats were absent. Communidades are village organizations involved in maintaining reclaimed khazan lands used for fishing and agriculture. Few community groups that found their way in Noah's presentation includes Brahmins, Chardos, Sudras and Gaudes. One who is missing are Mahars and Chamars. What could be the reason for this miss? Were they not existing? Or were they invisible to historians? Or historians shared prejudice against them as untouchables? Were they really out of village borders and consequently out of border of history? How did mharingan (od Mahars) and mand (of Gaudas) existed side-by-side on Mandovi river banks now under Syntenta captivity leased by Santa Monica?

2. This system continued during Portuguese rule beginning from 1510. Goa's Pr-Portuguese community organization remained in tact till 1961 when India replaced Portugal rule Goa. After this community organization of communidades suffered as they were sidelined by Panchayat system of administration. Mandovi banks specially its reclaimed lands faced hasty set back.

3. Portuguese founded their capital at the banks of Mandovi at Old Goa. After the plague Old Goa city population around two lakh people were moved to Panjim in 1843. One Researcher Manuel Texeira from Portugal has observed that population of Old Goa was as big as Population of London.

4. Casinos are polluting Mandovi river. Due to high level of political pressure studies on casino pollution are neither attempted nor published. Academia has accepted political throttling.

5. Mining barges are polluting Mandovi river. Barges are operating by investing loaned money from banks in Goa. Public money are used by barges for polluting Goa's rivers. Its time these banks are listed and exposed. The data is available at Captain of Ports, Panjim. Every loaded barge is dragging river bed and aborts fish life. Several basket full of fish dies and birds eat in the middle of the river.

6. Nationalization of rivers is a threat to Mandovi. This is due to Sagarmala project that aims to construct several Jetties along the coast. Sagarmala project is meant to create investment opportunities for the bankers including European banks that are running out of opportunities in Europe due to high level of public awareness and public oppositions to infringe and inflict ecological aggression. 

7. Water sports is creating serious problems to fishermen due to release of oil from their engines. Oil is released also from Casino boats as well as mining barges. In Zuari water sports is being carried on from Hotel Grand Hyatt despite opposition. Avertano Furtado, former fisheries minister of Goa is reported by fishermen saying his hands are tied and water sports is being carried on in Zuari due to orders from Central Government in Delhi.

8. Purse seine boats are creating serious ecological hazards as tiny fish life is caught by them creating depletion of fish in Zuari river. Disruptions are caused also by trawlers in Zuari. Both are illegal and both are existing. Public attention is needed here.

9. Islands in Mandovi are formed due to sedimentation process. However it needs to be pondered as to whether sedimentation process also deposited minerals in the islands as islands are rich in minerals and Chorao island also has mining lease that is canceled. It may be possible that other factors such as earthquakes may also be responsible island formations in Mandovi. Needs further examination.

9. Banks of Mandovi had ingenious workers that maintained embankments by using soil. This practice discontinues and on Islands like Divar soil is replaced concrete funded by agriculture department without CRZ permissions. Actually it looks like a road in order to open up island for construction by escaping CRZ laws.

10. Divar coast is also affected by project of Subakar Rao related to water sports and tourism by cutting down of mangroves.

11. Vanxim island paddy fields are sold by Goa Archbishop without consulting the villagers and it is huge fraud.

12. Maps that Noah used are highly informative. We now know Candolim village was known as Khandull during Pr-Portuguese days.

Noah has opened up some deeper questions for deeper investigation and deeper remedies. We remain thankful to Noah as well as Bookworm library. Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed for Mandovi river and other rivers in Goa too.

Sebastian Rodrigues

'Why' Politics of all Party meeting on Goa mining

Why Goa's legislators never thought of calling all Party meeting to discuss water shortages caused by mining by drying up of 75 village water wells of Sirigao village as mining pits have gone 90 meter below sea level? Why they never thought of calling all Party meeting to discuss entire destruction of agriculture by mining industry in Sirigao village? Why Goa legislators never had all Party meet when Forests land were diverted for mining and razed down brazenly? Why Goa legislators never had all Party meeting when Goa's rivers are invaded by mining industry through pollution as recorded in first meeting of GSPCB? Why they never called all Party meeting when so many jobs in hinterlands of Goa steadily lost due to mining intrusions? Why Goa's legislators are so selective in calling all Party meetings about mining in Goa? Is it likely that mining industry funds and 'buys off' all the MLAs? Is is likely that all political Parties in Goa are funded openly or under the table by mining industry? Why? Why? Why? This set of questions need answer for the sake of Goa's safety and prosperity. Can you attempt an answer?

Morjim fishermen silence Goa Fisheries minister on National Waterways issue

There was a meeting held on the 5th of Jan 2018 by the fisheries department.  In Morjim for the purpose of hearing the grievances of the fisherman of Pernem taluka. There were fisherman mostly from Morjim  and some even from Keri.

The Goa Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyenkar was present along with Dayanand Sopte MLA of Mandrem.

In the meeting the fisherman put down there grievances and also stated that there was a certain person known as "gautam singhania" who comes with his fleet of jets-ski in the river Chapora and disrupts the local fishing and the coastal police take no action.  

The people also complained about a certain  floating restaurant called (waterman) that is anchored in the river Chapora and that it plays loud music and stob lights disrupting the local way of living and affects the sensitivity of the eco-system of the river 

The fisheries Minister was also asked about the nationalization of rivers and especially the river Chapora and that if it is allowed it will affect the local fishing to a great degree. On hearing this the fisheries Minister said that such a thing was impossible. One person at the meeting  pointed out the exact article of the MoU before the legislative assembly that seeks to restrict fishing activities.

On hearing this Minister said that he promises in the name of the local temple that such a thing will not be allowed. 

One person at the meeting pointed out that his promise stands for nothing and that his promise has no power in front of the law. To this the minister had no answer.

After this the fisherman gave the minister the letter that stated that the village of Morjim  is against the nationalization the river Chapora.

Aaron Fernandes

Serious Objections to signing any MoU between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Government of Goa and MPT on 6 rivers in Goa

Date: 16^th December 2017

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Serious Objections to signing any Memorandum of Understanding between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Government of Goa and Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) on development of 6 rivers in Goa declared fraudulently as National Waterways.

Sir,

Thank you for inviting Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM), Goa State for the Presentation on above subject held at Institute Menezes Braganza, Main Hall, Panjim on 11^th December 2017. Our President Maggie Silveira participated and many of us were prevented from entering the venue by tight police security. We lodge our protest for the preventing participation of our several office bearers.

As you are well aware Bharat Mukti Morcha has already filed objections to your office on the above mentioned subject. However after our President Maggie Silveira participated in presentation we wish to re-iterate our objections with additional reasons as under:

1.      Threats to Fishing: We have studied the draft of MoU given to Mr. Churchill Alemao, Benaulim MLA by Manohar Parrikar, CM of Goa publicly at the above mentioned venue of MoU Presentation on above subject and believe that it is designed to the detriment of fishing activities in all the six rivers in Goa. We observed that even Inland Waterways has such provisions hostile to fishing as its Article 3 (XI) of draft MoU that states “Ensure unrestricted development and utilization of National Waterways by regulating the existing fishing activities carried through stake net fishing, barrier net, River gill, river cages and fishing by any registered gear. Views of local fishermen area shall however be taken into consideration before finalization of a site for development by COP and IWAI”. We are not satisfied with explanation of Govind Jaiswal, IAS who stated that Fishing rules of 1981 are much more dangerous to fishing activities than this article. BMM call upon Fisheries Minister Vinoda Paliencar as well as to move amendment to 1981 fisheries rules and make rivers of Goa safe for fishing activities by deleting provisions hostile to fishing with help of Govind Jaiswal, IAS who is Secretary Fisheries and Ports. We object Goa fishing rules of 1981 to be used to justify this draconian provision. In addition, Fishing cannot be localized as even though fishermen are locals, fish in rivers is not as rivers are connected to Arabian Sea, and so are the consumers of fish are beyond locality. We object to the plans to sign this MoU.

2.        Subversion of Democracy: National Waterways Act 2016 was passed unanimously in the Indian Parliament in March 2016 without consulting people of Goa. Goa’s MPs kept silent in Parliament according to eye witness account given by Goa CM Manohar Parrikar who was present in the Parliament in his capacity as India’s Defence Minister. The representative democracy has proved to be the colossal failure the way things have turned out on Goa’s six rivers declared as National Waterways as Political Parties are outside RTI jurisdictions and we do not know which vested interests funded ruling and opposition parties to pass this law unanimously without consulting people of Goa. BMM again objects to the inclusion of Goa’s rivers in the Schedule of National Waterways Act 2016. BMM rejects Goa CM’s comments that he can do nothing about it to reverse the situation. Here are things that BMM advises CM Manohar Parrikar to do immediately:

a.      Write to the Prime Minister of India to delete Goa’s six rivers from the Schedule of National Waterways Act 2016.

b.      Write to Goa MPs in Parliament as all three of them belong to CM’s Political Party BJP to do all that is necessary to get Goa’s rivers deleted from the Schedule of National Waterways Act 2016.

c.       Pass legislation in Goa Legislative Assembly to exclude Goa’s six rivers form Schedule of the National Waterways Act 2016.

3.      Land Grab:  With all the Goa’s precious land adjacent to six rivers going to the Indian Shipping Ministry that control Inland Waterways Authority of India has automatically is under jurisdiction of Union Government besides declared portions of six rivers themselves.

4.      “Like Goa’s Liberation”: This is a statement Manohar Parrikar made to describe the situation Goa after inclusion of six rivers as National Waterways in 2016. BMM notes that Goa Liberation and India’s military action in Goa on December 17, 2017 was against European county of Portugal. Indian Government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru believed that Goa could be liberated from Portugal by such action. How does comparison fits here? From whom does Indian Government liberated Goa through National Waterways Act 2016? From Fishermen? From dwellers on coast banks of rivers? BMM want an answer from you on these questions.

5.      Liberation as Tragedy: What Goa CM has referred as Goa Liberation has in fact been great trigger to loose control over land in various insidious ways. Here we share a link to you on how people living in plains and mountains, Goa’s Scheduled Tribe People were cheated of their land and their liberation is yet to begin as bondage is a reality: http://theothermedia.in/downloadables/SAIP_Reports/SAIP_Mining_Series_1_Goa.pdf. And now in liberated Goa our rivers have been arbitrarily without any consultation has been transferred for control by Indian Shipping Ministry. This is completely ridiculous and we totally oppose inclusion of Goa’s six rivers in the Schedule of National Waterways Act 2016.

6.      Liberation or Invasion of Goa? This is question is not settled as yet. What Manohar Parrikar called Liberation of Goa is referred to as Goa Invasion by UN Security council in its 988^th meeting held on 18^th December 1961 in New York from 8.45 pm onwards. Here is online link for your reference: http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/PV.988. According to Goa CM National Waterways Act 2016 is like this event then this could also be termed as Goa’s second invasion.

7.      Goa Rivers fiasco is due to political failure of Indian representative democracry – the Legislature. It has to be corrected by Legislative Action. It cannot have administrative solution. Hence Secretary - Ports, Govind Jaiswal, IAS who did power point presentation at December 11, 2017 meeting under reference has no role in solving this issue.

8.      Responsibility of Captain of Ports: Major responsibility to get Goa’s rivers out of Schedule of National Waterways Act 2016 is of Captain of Ports. From the records posted at website of Inland Waterways Authority of India it is clear evidence that Government of India consulted Captain of Ports along with Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Goa Barge Owners Association as early as January 21, 2010 and reported in press next day. Here is the link for your reference: http://iwai.nic.in/showfile.php?lid=145. Now it is your office duty to convey the message of vast protesting people of Goa on opposition in Goa to the Indian Shipping Ministry.

9.      After mining tragedy we commit river tragedy? There is already huge environmental damage mining has inflicted on Goa. Mining silt has washed into
Goa’s rivers in such a large quantity that few islands have been formed and forest department has planted trees on them especially in Mandovi river. There are studies by scientists explaining in detail as o how mining has damaged Goa and also its various river tributaries. Its clear from the fact that IWAI has approached National Appraisal Committee as recorded in minutes of October 25-26, 2016 on behalf of 228 barges to carry on dredging of Mandovi. Here are the extracts of minutes for your reference: http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2017/08/228-mining-barges-behind-tormenting-of.html.  So here we are in a situation where mining has ruined its land – plains and forests, paddy fields and water bodies, and now out on full fledged prowl to swallow Goa’s rivers. Enough is enough!

10.  Mining as a major polluting industry of Goa and find recorded in the first meeting of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSCPB) on October 05, 1988. Role of mining barges in polluting Goa’s inland waterways too is very well noted. In fact minutes calls for education of the masses on the aspect of prevention of pollution. Here is online link to these minutes for your reference http://goaspcb.gov.in/Media/Default/Minutes%20of%20Board%20Meeting/1minutes.pdf.

11.  Mining has been historical enemy of Goa and continues to be so till date. Mining enmity is not restricted to assault on Goa’s ecology from its inception in early 1940 but extends in political sphere too. T.B.Cunha, the Father of Goan Nationalism in his article in Journal titled “Free Goa” wrote on July 25^th 1958 as to how mining companies has been supporting Portugal Colonial rule to thrive in Goa. Here is his complete article online links: http://mandgoa.blogspot.in/2008/04/t-b-cunha-on-mining-trade-in-goa.html.

12.  Colonial mode of development: Wanagunui river too was used as “Highway” by white colonizers against the wishes of the indigenous people of that region – Maoris. They fought for nearly 140 years and this year 2017 March Crown acknowledged and apologized for the destruction caused in New Zealand through the Parliamentary legislation. Here is reference for your reference: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2017/0007/latest/096be8ed81520106.pdf. Do you want people of Goa to fight similarly and that long period of time? One needs to be really sadist to desire so. If that is the intention of Government of India, Government of Goa to please mining companies, Shipping companies and other vested interests then we will be left with no option but to fight like Maoris did in New Zealand over Whanganui River.

13.  Delay in decision to reverse the decision of Indian Government could lead to unpredictable consequences. People of Goa no longer want to be at the mercy of mining companies, coal companies, casino companies and Indian Shipping Ministry dictated terms to Goa’s rivers and people. Your office will be held responsible for ensuring consequences as your office negotiated with Indian Shipping Ministry to get them in Schedule of National Waterways Act 2016.

Kindly share this letter with all the MLAs, Ministers, Chief Minister and others that you invited for the December 11, 2017 presentation at Menezes Braganza Hall, Panjim as well as members of public protesting outside the Hall for denying entry inside for PPT Presentation on above subject. Also share this letter with Indian Shipping Ministry and IWAI along with MPT, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Goa Barge Owners Association. Make sure that you do not sign any MoU on Goa’s six rivers.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa State

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra unit

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim unit

Socorro Braganza

Convener, Siridao Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Curca Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convener, Nauxi unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxi Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar,

Co-convener,Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener, Odxel unit

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener, Nauxim Unit

Ms. Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar,

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Uttam Martins

Co-convenor, Cacra unit

Rohit Hadkonkar,

Co-convenor,  Bambolim unit

Sanju Diukar,

Co-convenor, Odxel unit

Chandranath Rosario,

Co-convenor, Cacra unit

Vijay Sawant,

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar,

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener, Cacra Unit

 Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit