Encroachment on Forest Land, illegal Boring of test Pit

The forest land has been encroached upon by the mining lease holder T. C. no. 6/49. Trial pit for the testing of iron/manganese ore has been dug and the rejection is putting in the private forest. The B.D.O. of Sanguem has already inspected the site and has declared that the above mentioned has no authority to build and that the illegal. No Licence has been issued to the concerned party. There was a stop action issued to the mining company but they did not heed and went on with the construction.

Illegal mining activity at Gogoro ou Gulcan Dongor Mine T.C.No. 006/49 of Hiralal Khodidas in Colamba Village causing financial loss to the government

LOSS TO THE GOVERNMENT The illegal mining activity is causing damage to the perennial Natural Nalla as well as financial loss to the Government, by way of causing damage to infrastructure etc.The runoffs from the illegal dumps are entering the perennial Natural Nalla as well as the agricultural fields causing financial loss to local peasants.

Damage due to runoffs from mine sites to: A) Agricultural land. B) Kushawati river and its tributaries

1. It was brought to your notice that the Mine of Hiralal Khodidas Gogoro ou Gulcan Dongor Mine T. C. No. 006/49 had Pumping & diverted directly the Mud Water From Mine and putting into the paddy fields & Awati Bandh (Nalla), illegally diverted its natural course and causing damage to agriculture and a public nuisance. Villagers demand that immediate action be taken against Mine of Hiralal Khodidas Gogoro ou Gulcan Dongor Mine T. C. No.006/49 for the same. 2. The Pumping has also caused damage to the Kushawati River and its tributaries and have been causing serious problem to our Paddy fields and other Agricultural lands and its irrigation.

Villagers Objection to Mining done By M/s Hiralal Khodidas in Colomba Village

We do not see the need to produce our property papers to your office as when the mining company in mention was asked to do the same in the presence of the police they did not comply. The matter is more serious than just the property for it affects our lives and livelihood which you do not seem to see.

We hereby humbly request you to consider our grievance in the interest of the poor “PEOPLE” who are more important then the profits of the private companies. We are powerless but can and are aware of our power.

We belong to the Schedule Tribe Community and our lands have to be protected by the government as is done in other places like Cazur and so on. These lands have been ours by the fact our forefathers lived and toiled here and now with the coming of the mining company, are we allowing this to disappear?

Our Rights Guaranteed by ARTICLE 21 of our Constitution are: VIOLATED

Since the last few years our “Right to Live” as guaranteed by article 21 of the Constitution, is being trampled upon by M/s Hiralal Khodidas & Company. Repeated, representations and petitions to all concerned authorities had no effect, forcing us, law abiding villagers to agitate. We are poor so we cannot dole out money for getting our requests to be answered.

Children’s Health in Danger:

Our Innocent Children suffer from malnutrition due to the loss of crops, caused by the pollution and artificial drought created by M/s Hiralal Khodidas & Company.

APPEL: SAVE OUR CROPS : from being destroyed. DUE to discharge of the water from the mining pit to the Kushawati River. For the following reasons:

1. Rice crops in our Village have been cultivated for ages but now we cannot as the water from the mining pit brings along with it the mining silt into the fields, which does not allow the crops to grow. 2. The water from the mining pit together with the rain water has flooded even the places where abit of planting of our Rice crops was done. 3. In the village as the pit is deeper than the wells the ground water is drained out from the village wells, causing an artificial drought, thus affecting our livelihood. Thus we are not able to plant other crops after the rainy season. 4. Our other crops like sugar cane, beetle nut, coconut and a vegetable too has been affected in the same way. 5. Our village is now witnessing the distraction and pollution of our ‘nallas’, springs water sources and wells.

Besides this, our roads have destroyed; the bridges are in danger of collapsing. The dynamite used to blast the rocks in order to excavate the ore cause cracks in our houses and soon the houses could be seen crumbling down on us and our children.

The Natural environment is already destroyed by the fillings of trees and the disappearance of the wild life from our area. This also affects the rainfall in the area as a science teaches and as all government are fully aware of the drawbacks of deforestation.

We demand that the lives of PEOPLE should take precedence over profits of private company. If not we will then resort to the Gandhi Principles of non violence to get our demands answered. It could also turn out to be another demonstration of our power.

Inspection of Mine Site carried out on 25.05.2007 by the Experts from Directorate of Mines & Geology, Government of Goa

the inspection carried out on dated 25.05.2007 by Directorate of Mines & Geology, Government of Goa and officers and they informed us that there is no possibility of the wash-offs / run-offs of the mud from the dumps entering into our agricultural land, natural Nalla and the Kushawati River. We the residents of this area aware of the heavy rains occur in Colomba and near by areas. We are also well versed with the situation that occurs with that quantum of rainfall. Hence we are convinced that the run –offs are entered into our agricultural land, natural Nalla and the Kushawati River. The situation is witnessed known after the rains starts.

Earlier your experts insist that we are wrong to presume that the run –offs / wash – offs will eater the agricultural land, natural Nalla and the Kushawati River. We request you the following:

1. Kindly give us in writing that to remove the run –offs / wash –offs which are entered in the agricultural land, natural Nalla and the Kushawati River. Which earlier your experts say that it will not entered in it. 2. Depute an officer in Colomba village for daily monitoring of the mine site in the banks of Kushawati River and the catchments area during these monsoon days.

Illegal mining activities had been taking place at Gogoro ou Gulcan Dongor Mine T.C.No. 006/49 of Hiralal Khodidas in Colomba Village.

The Director of Mines Panjim – Goa by the Villagers of Colomba those illegal mining activities had been taking place at Gogoro ou Gulcan Dongor Mine T.C.No. 006/49 of Hiralal Khodidas in Colomba Village. The Director had been informed that the activity was causing loss to the Govt. by way of destroying infrastructure, as well as causing loss of the livelihood, and danger to life of local people. Please FURNISH the following information:

1. Has the Department of Mines &Geology issued any license / permission / NOC to Hiralal Khodidas or any of their agents, to carry work of destructions of: a) Infrastructure (roads etc) b) Natural Nalla at Colomba / Kevona. c) Fields / agricultural lands under cultivation of villagers. d) Traditional Irrigation Canals used by villagers of Colomba & Kevona for the purpose of Cultivation. 2. If the above Mentioned license / permission / NOC have been issued, kindly furnish us with a certified copy of the same. 3. If the license / permission / NOC have been issued, kindly give us details of the action taken against the Culprits. 4. If the culprits have not been booked, and the activity has not been stopped, Kindly Inform us in writing the Reasons why the action has not been taken. 5. Kindly inform us as to when the Department will take action to stop the destruction activity and measures to be taken to recover the cost of damages incurred. 6. Silting of the Autiband nalla, Agricultural land and the Kushawati River which has affected agriculture that has been in existence for over a hundred years. Removal of dumps, and restoration of forest. 7. Measures to control dust pollution. 8. Reservation of all forest areas and other lands in Colomba and Rivona villages as green.

LOSS TO THE GOVERNMENT: The illegal activity is causing damage to the Perennial Natural Nalla as well as financial loss to the Government, by way causing damage to infrastructure etc. The runoffs from the illegal dumps are entering the Perennial Natural Nalla as well as the agricultural fields causing financial loss to local peasants.

STOP THE LOSS: In The Interest of Public, as well as stopping loss to the Government, we request you to conduct a surprise inspection, book and persecute the culprits. You are also requested to detain and attach the heavy machinery and recover the fines imposed. Your early action in the matter will help to stop further losses to the government.

M/s Hiralal Khodidas & Company and other Mining Companies creating Nuisance in different wards of Colomba village.

We the LAW Abiding Citizens of Colomba villagers here by notice that some Agents of Mining Companies although we had brought to the notice of the concerned authorities of the destructive activities taking place in Colomba village, and the concerned authorities are not taking any action against the culprits and have been given a free hand to carry on the illegal activity unhindered.

The issue relates to the destruction of natural watershed of Colomba village, which has affected the livelihood of the people, as well as posing danger to the Kushawati River, Serious water depletion in the village. Infrastructure has been damaged, which is a loss to the Government.

As the matter is urgent and corrective measures need to be taken we request you to kindly issue directives for an inspection for a report within 6days from the following Officers: 1. Director of Social welfare 2. Director of Agriculture 3. Chief Engineer, WRD 4. Chief Conservator of Forests 5. Chief Engineer I PWD, Water Supply 6. Chief Engineer II PWD , Roads 7. Director of Mines.

Arrest of Colomba Bachow Samiti members by the P.I. of Quepem Shri P.B. Shirwoikar.

The two of our members, Egyps D’Souza? and Manuel Dias, of Colomba village, were sitting in a relaxed mood at the Colomba bus-stand at about 5.30p.m on 14TH October 2007 Sunday evening. The P.I. of Quepem, Shri P.B. shirwoikar together with 12 policemen came in two jeeps at about this time and for no reason at all of them took the two of them to the Quepem police station.

Later on after they had departed and were about to reach the police station the police left them realising that they had falsely arrested them.

We would like to see into this matter and we as lawful citizens of this country have the right to live without being threatened by the police as we had not created any problem at all. The main issue is the mining activity in our village which is being handled by the DY. Collector, Shri Johnson Fernandes.

Hello!

Here are the minutes of a meeting called by Quepem Sub-divisional Magistrate to clear way for the Fomento mining group that operates mine in Colamb, Sanguem. This meeting gains significance as it demonstrates the power of the corporate to flex and get into motion the State administration for its private interest of mining of ore and gaining huge profits. Mining companies have been doing this over the past five decades and this is one more example as to demonstrate how deep is our quasi-judicial, judicial, executive, police, are co-opted and hell bent on destroying people’s livelihood of agriculture, destroy forests, convert forest areas into rice plantations and then use the forest lands as mining dumps, pollute and suck dry our natural water sources, silt flowing water bodies, mobilize scientific opinions and manufacture reports to repeat the story of three wise monkeys to say ‘here no truth, speak no truth and see no truth’, mining companies are the truth.

Magistrate discloses that he has powers only as far as maintaining law and order yet he goes on does something more suggests formation of CORE Committee that would composed of government representatives and three members vetted by the Rivona Panchayat whose elected members have deep rooted interests in the continuation mining and whole scale ruining of agriculture.

The government scientists that gave clean cheat to SDM are indeed an object of ridicule and betray even the common sense. Of course it is a common knowledge that scientists are rarely stick to their ethics and more often than not have betrayed the very people who through their taxes pays their salaries and these scientist have been indulging in complete unethical practices. They have done again while choosing soil samples and its testing.

One lawyer representing mining companies is quoted in the minutes as proudly declaring that mining lease has not been challenged for the past 5 decades. Perhaps as practice goes lawyers take the side of one who pays them; he shrewdly overlooks the facts that the lease was granted by the erstwhile Portuguese colonial State, and by overlooking this fact he shamefully celebrates imperialism. And why he should not all the mining companies have accumulated the huge surplus to divert their profits in wide range of business ventures including Cidade de Goa thanks to this mischief during the Portuguese Colonial era. He also overlooks the fact that judiciary has been dominated by the interests hostile to the people at the receiving end of mining tyranny. The demand for stopping of mines in Goa will not succeed in the Palaces that are full of scandals but this demand will succeed when discussed and debated in the people’s parliament – the streets where the affected people themselves are going to be the judges and not the professional lawyers that are sucking their clients at a mass scale. Our judiciary is blood sucking institution meant to tire out generate and intensify injustice through the rule of law that is also rule of the rich for the rich. The law is conceptualized, drafted, executed by the powerful sections of the society that does not what the sufferings are all about. The laws are formulated to further disempower common people and snatch their livelihoods and mining laws, Forest laws, pollution laws in Goa and India are excellent examples to this.

Through this order Fomentos have mobilized State coercive agency – the Police who are also paid by the public exchequer to arrests, harass and inflict innumerable repressive measures as it has been happening in Colamb, Sanguem for those villagers protesting against mining companies.

Of course SDM considers minerals as national wealth and it cannot be stopped from exploitation. But nowhere he mentions and take note about the fact that people’s houses have developed crack not only due to rippers but also though blasting carried out by the Fomentos. Devki Katu Velip’s residence is an example to this. Why overlook? Nowhere he has developed understanding of the scenario as to what is going to happen to this village of Colamb if mining leases get activated? What will be the remains of the village that has total area 1929 hectares and out of which 1524 hectares are under mining leases? And not the SDM knows about from the remainder how much land is forest land under the control of the Forest department that operates in tyrannical fashion chiefly because it behaves as lackey of the forest department to make more land available to mining industry? It is indeed strange that what is common knowledge does not reach the ears of the SDM. We can only guess why! These valuable aspects he missed out completely before designing his methodology. His methodology is designed to wipe the tears of the crying children. It pays lip service towards any genuine attempts to find out the root cause of the pain that releases tears from the farmers eyes. The situation is serious, if people don’t have space to cultivate paddy then very soon they have to adopt going hungry or eating mining silt. Or become laborers on mines and depend at the mercy of the mining company for their livelihood. SDM order has given the stamp of legitimacy to the mining loot in a fantastic theatrics’ style: mining company will continue its loot caring dam for all the dissent in the world and State is going to supplement mining company with additional police re-enforcements whenever necessary. Already police have filed cases against the villagers and some have even been arrested. Worse Police goes on random picking of the villagers take them to Police station for harassment purpose. Egypt Dias and Manuel Dias were picked up in this fashion on October 14, 2007. Rama Velip and Motesh Antao were also targeted by Police earlier through arrests.

It was surprising that SDM had no means of verifying as to who tarred the road under reference. His analysis relies upon assumptive word ‘Perhaps’. This is speculation and not analysis. And subsequently your conclusions are erroneous to the core. Colamb struggling People have got nothing to do with law and order problem. They are acting in collective defense of their agriculture from mining invasion backed by State power. It is mining company that is creating law and order problem. It is mining company that is snatching the peoples’ means of livelihood by various means including co-ersion.

And these affected villagers are declared as Scheduled Tribes and this is chosen reward from the mining industry-State nexus. I understand the phrase ‘Private-Public Participation’ meaning of ‘Private’ in SDMs opinion as Fomento mining group. I failed to understand the meaning of ‘Public’ is. Does that mean participative and joyful tolerance of nuisance of Fomentos though its mining mischief? Or does ‘Public’ means likes of the SDM, Police, Water Resource Department Officials, Forest Department officials, Mining Department officials, and the like ‘Public’ officials? It would be nice if SDM clarifies what if the composition of the word ‘Public’ in participation is.

The compensation as way of compromise is not workable at all. Rs.400/- per month per person that Fomentos have been going about making agreements is a nasty fraud on the lives of the common people that will have consequences of its own. This of course is not mentioned in the minutes but derived logically from the utterances of the lawyer that majority of people supports mining in Colamb, Sanguem. In any case compensation is like ‘I give you one slap and then pay Rs.10/- and logically I can give you any amount of slaps and go on paying proportionately.’ I go on doing this because I have money to do so. Subsequently if I have to go on leaving I have to go on taking selling myself for more and more slaps, my hands are now accustomed to taking slaps and more slaps and more importantly I can not do without slaps. For I have no land left to cultivate. This is an ideology of compensation.

Again mining company manager pulled smart one over the shoulders of SDM or rather that’s how the whole show was organized; mining manager is quoted as saying that they have taken precautions against wash over of mining silt into the nallah and they subsequent preventions of washing the same into agricultural lands. Of course this is bullshit. And do note the hilarious explanation of executive engineer who is also canal officer. According his logic there could be not siltation of Paddy fields till the nallah – flowing fresh water body is complexly buried with silt and silt them will have to overflow and find its way into agricultural lands. Of course he dished out the logic and scenario as desired by his bosses in the fomento mining company. There are plenty of officers like him who have sold their ethics for a brief case or two. Other wise you as members of public go and inspect the paddy field, meet up the affected people yourself and arrive at your own conclusions and your conclusions. If you have not taken briefcases from Fomentos will be opposite to the conclusion in this report. However he admitted that there is already siltation caused and he does not talk of it irreversible impacts on ecology.

The geologist at the mining department who was also present at this meeting agrees with me that his department is impotent to discipline mining companies as the companies over the period of time have become the Princes of Goa through 5 decades of loot and have enormous power at all level of Judiciary, Legislature and Executive. With mining loot going at this scale there is hardly any hope of preserving Goa’s identity as its majestic Western Ghats Mountains are slaughtered daily. It is only struggling people like that of Colamb that can contribute towards creating new identity for Goa in the face of State – Corporate nefarious nexus in place. These minutes are shining example of the way this nexus is operating inside the veins of Goa.

Sebastian Rodrigues

MINUTES OF THE MEETING CONVENED BY THE SUB DIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE (SDM) OF QUEPEM SUB-DIVISION QUEPEM GOA ON 13/10/2007 TO TAKE STOCK OF THE LAW & ORDER PROBLEM PERTAINING TO OPERATION OF MINE BY HIRALAL KHODIDAS & COMPANY PRESENTLY OPERATED BY FOMENTO MINING GROUP

The following members were for the meeting

1. Shri Parag Nagarssekar, Mamlatdar of Sanguem. 2. Shri Sudin Natu, Mamlatdar of Quepem 3. Shri Hector Fernandes, Asstt. Geologist, Director of Mines & Geology, Panaji 4. Shri S.M. Rangaraju, Exe. Engineer, Water Resource Department (WRD) 5. Shri Paily P., A.E. Water Resource Department 6. Shri B.S. Prabhu, Zonal Agriculture Officer(ZAO), Sanguem 7. Shri P.B.Shirvoikar, Police Inspector(PI), Quepem Police Station 8. Shri Gajanan Harihar Karkare, Sr. Manager 9. Shri Atul V. Makode, Mines Manager 10. Shri P.T. Naidu 11. Shri Vijay D. Kerker 12. Shri Gokuldas K Naik 13. Shri Sandeep Gaonkar 14. Shri V.K. Prabhu Dessai 15. Shri Rama L. Velip 16. Shri Egypt D’Souza? 17. Shri Telu Dias 18. Shri Rajanikant Velip 19. Shri Ramchandra Velip 20. Shri Sebastiao D’Souza? 21. Shri Ajai N. Naik 22. Shri Gaurish Naik

At the outset the SDM Quepem welcomed the gathering & disclosed that the meeting was convened in order to tackle the law and order problem which has been constantly taking place at the site of the operation of mine by Hiralal Khodidas & company which is presently operated by Fomento Mining Group. The main issue which the villagers were concerned of is about adjoining nallah which is passing on the peripheri of the mining activity & secondly about the run-offs of the mines getting accumulated in the adjoining agricultural lands.

The villager named Rama Ladu Velip addressed to say that the sludge of the mine is affecting the paddy fields and the lands which are being cultivated by the Schedule Tribes is getting destroyed due to the silt. The land which is classified as forest land is also being surreptitiously utilized for mining activity & the forest resources is getting depleted day by day, has developed cracks to the households of the inhabitants who reside in the vicinity of the mining area and that the water table of the land has been substantially reduced.

Shri Venkatesh Keshav Prabhu Dessai, another villager pointed out to say that the agricultural lands in the vicinity of the mining area are giving a double yield-kharif & Rabi type due to the availability of water source from the nallah. He also stated that the plateau used for mining acts as a reservoir for harvesting water during monsoon due to its capillary action and that protective measures taken by the mining company serve no purpose and that the operation of mines be stopped.

Shri Salvador Dias, a villager submitted that the Government is encouraging agricultural activity by giving various types of subsidies, but on account of the operation of the mines the doles dished out by the Government would serve no purpose. He also stated that there would be no grazing ground left of available for the cattle and prayed that the mines be stopped from conducting any of its operation.

Shri Hector Fernanades was representing the Director of Mines & Geology. He stated that the mining concession was in existence since 1949 by the virtue of Title of Concession No.6 for Iron and Manganese. The activities were going on manually for extracting Manganese ore and since the past 18 months this activity is controlled by the Central Government and the monitoring aspect is done by the Directorate of Mines, is what Mr. Hector had to say. The approvals for the operating of mine have been given by the Indian Bereau of Mines (IBM) after studying the mining plan which is accompanied by the study of Environment Impact Assessment. The concerns of the environment are looked after and taken care of by the IBM. The environment clearance of the present mine was given bye the Ministry of Environment and Forest on 12/3/2007 and is valid till date. Mr. Fernandes also stated that the area of lease given to the mine is 70,1870 sq.mts and he feigned ignorance as private forest. The usage of machinery on the mines is also subject to the Mines Safety Act is what Mr. Hector had to say

The Executive Engineer Mr. Ranga Raju who is also a canal Officer attached the Water Resources Department was present and he placed on record the series of reports which he has made from time to time alongwith photographical evidence of the nallah. The said correspondence and measures suggested by the canal Officer the average depth of the nallah is 2 mts. He submitted that only when the nallah is completely filled with silt, than and only than it would start overflowing and accumulating in the properties. He stated that due to precautionary measures adopted by the mining firm, the silt accumulated in the nallah is less for which measures could be taken for desiltation. He also submitted that the various barriers put across by the mining firm arrests the sludege/run-offs to a great extent.

According to the Zonal agricultural Officer Shri Babal S. Prabhu, he stated that the only if the nallah is completely filled up than only the damage would start accruing in the paddy fields. He also pointed out to his report submitted to the collector in April 2007, whereby he has highlighted the ill effects that would plague the agricultural sector in the years to come.

The representative of the mining company i.e. the Senior Manager Mines Shri Gajanand karkare submitted that all precautionary measures have been adhered to by the firm as per the directions given by the Chief Secretary of Goa. He also submitted that the mining company is always open for suggestions which are constructive in nature and that the activities carried out are legal in nature.

Adv. Hemkant Bhangui, pointed out to say that out of entire village only a handful villagers were opposed towards the project and a majority of them ar for it. He stated to say that the nallah is clear from all respect and the activity cannot be halted inspite of having valid legal permissions. He also stressed on the report of EIA which was banked upon by the Indian bureau of Mines whilst granting the permission. He also pointed out to say that when the mining concession has not been challenged since the past 5 decades, the question of stopping any activity of mining does not arise.

Some truck owners from the locality namely Shri Suryakant Naik and Shashikant Devidas submitted that the activity should be permitted for the employment and for doing ancillary business activities connected with mining.

A person named Arun Vijay Madgaonkar who is a resident of Marcel, khandola under the banner of Gram Vikas Kendra spoke on the ill-effects of mining activities ranging from the issues of water depletion to overloading of trucks. He also stated that the mining companies have not adhered to the norms laid to re-do the earth and bring it back to its original position by planting of trees. He also raised apprehensions and concerns for the village of Rivona, Colomba and surrounding areas by bringing it to the fore that some two more mining companies are likely to surface in the locality, which according to him would add more misery than any good to the local populace.

Another person by name of Shri Narayan Colambkar stated that the road which is presently used by the mining firm is his personal private land and he stated that the road cannot be put to use for mining operations.

BRIEF ANALYSIS

After hearing all the parties present i.e. the various agencies of the Government, the agitators and the representatives of the mining firm. It has been made crystal clear to one and all, that the jurisdictional limits of the SDM are minimal and that it is not clothed with powers to order stoppage of the mining activity considering the valid permissions which the mining firm has with them. Although the agitators have raised a cloud of suspicion in their minds about the grant of permissions, as an SDM, the office cannot go into the merits of each and every permission granted to the firm.

All what the SDM would want is maintenance of peace and tranquility in the society and if there is any contravention on this count, than the SDM would have to step in and take adequate measures to maintain the peace and tranquility. On the personal visit and inspection of the mining area on 9/10/2007 the SDM had collected soil samples for testing from two different sites i.e. one from the area which was alleged to have deposits of mining silts. The soil testing was carried out by the South Goa Branch of Agriculture Department and the reports which arrived today disclosed that both the soils had similar readings, which means to say that the fertility count of the soil has not been disturbed. The report too was tabled today for scrutiny before the meeting. So also the personal Inspection of nallah did not show the SDM the presence of alluvial deposits from the mines.

The core issue being that of deposits in the nallah and damage to agricultural lands has been properly answered by the Canal officer and the report of soil testing by the Agricultural Department.

As regards the Issue of road, although a hue and cry has been raised by the alleged property owner, this office opines that for all purposes the said road has to be treated as a public road. The road is pucca in nature and perhaps the PWD or the local authority must have tarred the same. Considering the fact of monies being pumped in for construction of the road from the exchequer, preferential right of use of the road would obviously be for the public and hence it is deemed to be considered as public road. However, if Shri Colombkar has a better title over the said road to the mines, he is at liberty to knock the doors of the forum having Civil jurisdiction. Preventing usage of the said road by using muscle power or by illegally blocking the same through other means is not a healthy sign and no law of the land would permit any person to do such and act.

METHODOLOGY TO ADOPT PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CURB ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

Degradation of Environment especially due to mining has been an issue which has from time to time being raised before for various reasons including in the Honourable High Court and Honourable Supreme Court. On every given occasion it has been a practice to issue directives to prevent environmental degradation as mining reserves cannot be stopped from being explored and exploited as it is part and parcel of national wealth.

Public Private Participation (PPP) is the need of the hour to bring about transparency in the adoption of preventive measures to curb environmental degradation. This proposal was put forth to the public which has been readily accepted, the committee members shall visit mining area every month and suggest measures from time to time. The committee should chalk out its own programme of field visit preferably in the first week of every month and within the first ten days of every month should submit a report to the mining firm and the collector(s) with a copy endorsed to the SDM of the Sub Division of Quepem. The mining firm should adopt the preventive measures in the same month itself and when the Committee members pay their field visit in the ensuing month they should assess the measures so adopted by the firm.

In the set up of PPP the degradation of environment which is at its optimum would get reduced to great extent and finally there would be a day where there would be zero tolerance to environmental degradation.

At any given time, if there are any deposits in the nallah the mining company should bear the total cost of desiltation by taking the technical know-how from the Canal Officer.

The run-offs from the mine in the agricultural properties could also be properly channelised through the tailing ponds by way of which the paddy field would not get destroyed.

The committee should comprise of three villagers the names of which has to be vetted by the Village Panchayat of Rivaona, the Mines Manager & Mining Engineer, Officials from each departments i.e. The Zonal Agricultural Office, Forest Department, Directorate of Mines and Canal Officer from WRD.

CONCLUSION

Under the above premises which has been espoused in the methodology part, the SDM called upon the parties present to maintain peace, tranquility and decorum and if need be to knock the doors of the appropriate forum to stop the operations of the mines, if they are insisting on the same. The SDM also called upon the gathering that the mines would start operating from 15/10/2007 and if there is any law and order problems than action would be initiated against them as per the law in force. The meeting thereafter ended with these directives.

Sd/- on 13/10/2007 (Johnson Bedy Fernandes) Deputy Collector & S.D.M., Quepem – Goa.

C.C. For Information to: 1. The Collector and District Magistrate (S), Margao-Goa?, with a request to kindly initiate steps to form a core committee as espoused in the methodology part of the minutes drawn and forwarded herein.

Just yesterday newspapers in India carried news item - some on the front page about abduction of South Korean company Pohang Steel Company (POSCO) in Orissa that is seeking to invest single largest foreign direct investments (FDI) in India at Rs.54,000 crores. The abductions that took place included that of the Managing director, a Korean national, another Korean official of the company and the Indian hired by the foreign firm, on 13th October 2007. It was however not the first time the abductions taking place. In April 2007 too POSCO officials were abducted and released.

I was part of the group put together by The Other Media, New Delhi to visit Dinkiya village – one of the richest villages of Orissa and now target of the POSCO investments - and have first hand exposure to investments that threaten to trample Peoples rights. Here are some of my observations after interacting with POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) Chairman Abhai Sahu on 28th September 2007.

MoU

POSCO and Orissa government signed Memorandum of Understanding to this project near Paradeep Port on 22nd November 2005. Soon the protests began in the form Court arrests, awareness campaigns in the three villages that are likely to get wiped off in the project comes through – Dhinkia, Nuaga and Godokujong Panchayats. The MoU is for setting up of Steel plant and construction of captive port for the company 7 kilometers away from the Paradeep Port at the Zatadhar Sea bed covering 519 acres of space.

Government is trying to hand over nearly 500 acres of legally government land to the Korean transnational corporation for the purpose of its project. This land originally b belonged to the people who cultivate but thanks to the process of state formations it was transferred to king Vardhaman from West Bengal who in turned leased it out to the private parties, and ultimately Indira Gandhi government nationalized these land in the mid of 1970s decade.

PPSS ground of Objections

PPSS objects to the projects on many grounds: Firstly, it is opposed to Industrialization at the cost established agricultural economy. Any attempts to do this will be opposed. Secondly, it is opposed to location of Industry at the dense forest area. The POSCO plant is capital intensive and not labour intensive. The current beetle nut cultivation in the village creates employment not only to the villagers but also for those in the neighboring villages ranging from 9-90 in age. Its existing agrarian economy is employment generating industry that POSCO is hardly a match. Poorest family in these villages is the one earns Rs.10,000/- per month!

Its beetle nut leaves are not only through out India but also exported to Middle East Asia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This conducive natural atmosphere is what is needed for this cultivation is prevailing in this Kujanga region of Jagansinghpur district of Orissa. In the face of such a prosperous local economy with global ties one questions the logic of getting POSCO to invest here. Cashew, coconut, Pisciculture is economies of these villages under people’s control.

Rights violations

There have been several instances of terror unleashed due to opposition to the POSCO project. Police, Company officials have created nexus to administer repressive measures. Bombings were carried on at check gates created by the PPSS, beating up of the people opposed to the project, and of course, the unleashing of goodas on the protestors. For nearly two weeks villagers were not a District collector suspended the supply of control commodities and the Old age pensions to the villages protesting the project! Once the suspension was revoked after the press and public opinion turned against the State, villagers were denied access on the public roads by the hired goons of the Korean corporate. It was only when the villagers showed unity and counter attacked the goons that they were able to reclaim the right over the public road. Nearly 130 criminal cases have been registered against the members of the PPSS that includes its Chairman Abhai Sahoo and its secretary Sisir Mahapatra.

Spirited Protests

However police have not been able to affect the arrests because the villagers have organized themselves and blocked all the roads to their villages. Check gates are created, 24 hours patrolling is carried on, every vehicle passing into the village is checked, interrogated and if it belonged to the State government or to the POSCO company is denied entry to the village. Daily meetings of the villagers and those offering solidarity are held near the Dinkiya village market and well attended and addressed by Women many of them from tribal groups. The road blockades according to PPSS will continue till POSCO lays its hands off their villages. The protests are likely to be intensified further as other Corporate in the State are putting Orissa government under pressure to invoke repression and hand over the necessary land to POSCO. The movements in Orissa of course has Kalinganagar massacre as backgrounder – a symbol of anti-corporate movement of common People of India.

Land titles

It is very important for the movement while continue to fight POSCO also gradually take up the question of land tittles. While it is advantageous on the one hand that the land under dispute is government lands, on the other hands villagers legally are illegal occupants of the lands. The possibilities must be worked out to get the land titles in the name Peoples’ organization and no longer it must be let alone as government lands. It requires deeper reflections as how to achieve this in the months ahead – once POSCO goes away abandoning their project.

Appeal for Solidarity

Do get in touch with the movements in Orissa and offer your solidarity. You may also inquire about the kind of solidarity required. You may contact Abhai Sahoo at his mobile no. 09938425210, e-mail: . You may also contact Nikunj Bhai at his mobile 09937364401, email: .

Sebastian Rodrigues

01. This is a illegal mining was goining at Colomba that is fetching huge profits to Fomentos. Fomentos are determined to go all out for it even if it means displacing people, and polluting Flora and Fauna, rivers, Climate and ruin agriculture nearby the Mining Area.

02. Fomento Mining Corporation with its mining has created acute water Problems by removing muddy water from mine and diverting directly towards Natural nalla and agricultural areas in Colomba village in Sanguem. In Rainy days all the mud was stored in nalla and paddy fields.

03. Colomba village has been put to innumerable hardships and their agriculture, Roads and natural vegetation is ruined by the mining activity. There is also tribal population in this village; people are mainly Cudmies and Gaudas.

04. Colomba has rich in agriculture mainly all the people are Farmers and they are depending on agriculture that will be smashed with mining silt and their lungs with mining dust if mining raises its ugly head here.

05. Colomba villagers protests are source of inspiration to all those amongst us defending forests and people from nefarious mining trade. The people had protested against the mining with the help of other near by villagers.

06. Deforestations is the rule in Sanguem Forests as Forest department enters into active collaboration through its acts of omissions and acts of commission and letting mining companies free hand towards getting forest areas for mining purpose. We found number of roads being demarcated by cutting down thick forests in Sanguem. Mining companies are making use of that roads to dump there Rejection in forest.

07. The mining company of Hiralal Khodidas holding T. C. No. 6\49 has illegally constructed a weigh bridge in survey no. 57.The B.D.O. has already inspected the site and has declared that the above mentioned has no authority to build and that the illegal. No License has been issued to the concerned party. There was a stop action issued to the mining company but they did not heed and went on with the construction.

08. Fomentos mining company is engaged in burring forest trees alive by dumping mining rejection in Colomba village. In the past few seasons along with cutting forests the company has also been actively involved in burring the forest alive to facilitate the mining trade.

09. Fomentos has their ongoing mining in operation amidst protests from the villagers. Besides, it has destroyed village agriculture. Have a look at this brown crater in the middle of ever green Western Ghats forests:

10. Due to protests by the villagers transportation of Fomentos mining was paralyzed. However instead of closing down its mining operations it has chosen to carry on. But instead of transporting the ore to the Arabian Sea, it just encroached upon the nearby forest lands and dumped loads of fine Iron Ore and they are making roads being demarcated by cutting down thick forests for transporting the ore from Colomba via Curpem side.

11. Group of us who toured Sanguem found huge loads of Iron Ore dumps inside forests and at one spot we came across board stuck on top of tree. It says a forest is some one's private property.

12. There is urgent need to pressurize the State as well mining companies to cease mining operations in Colomba village in Sanguem. Things are headed towards catastrophe due to mining.

Villagers and People concerned about Environment have been protesting the commisioning of mine at Sarwan for past few years. Last August 05 2007 core area - survey number 64 of T.C. No. 28/1953 - of mining went under the flooded Bicholim River. Here is the picture taken then:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=28

Environment ministry in its decision dated 21 August 2007 granted permission to M/s Zatye & Company Pvt. Ltd the necssarry environment clearance for commisining of mine under the condition that keeps safety zone of 50 meters between mine working and the Bicholim river. The travesty of truth is that thare is no 50 meter distance between the border as visible in the above picture and the Bicholim river.

This mine is proposed to be commisioned at the capital cost of Rs.278 lakh and will generate the waste of 13.1 million tonnes out of which 10 million will be dumped on the land in the form of overburden and the rest will be dumped inside the mining pit.

The clearance to the Sarvan mine also mean 40 houses with about 100 Sarwan villagers living adjacent to the mining lease land of survey number 99 in survey number 102 will have to get out soon if they decide to accept the verdict of MoEF.

MoEF is satisfied with its investigations and found that this mine was in operation during Portuguese colonial times in mid 1950s. Half a century later Indian government thinks it fit to revive the same - thus perpetualte the neo colonial legacy.

In early 2007 villagers came out the street of Bicholim to protest the mining proposal. Here is the picture a protestor:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=34

Soon the public hearing was held wherein the mining proposal was vehemently opposed. Here is the picture of gathering at Public hearing:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=35

MoEF gave permision for mining in not only roughriding Peoples opposition for mining but also neglecting topographic evidence of forest existing the mining lease area. Here is the picture of Sarvan's fragile Forest:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=36

There is also very important underground Cave network in the proposed Sarwan mine area jurisdiction. This is going to be completely lost forever to the planet:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=37

Proposed Zatye mining site in Sarvan also has an old temple - a place of worship on the banks. It is a rich human heritage to be lost due to mining. See the beauty for yourself:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=38

Hoticulture in the form of 'Kulagars' here fetch Rs. 1 crore to the Sarvan village. It has well developed irrigation networks. Have a look at this irrigation for cultivation:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=39

In the hottest months in Goa temperature in this forest does ranges between 15 degrees to 28 degree. It is forest with wild flowers. Here is picture:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=40

Cattles too come here to cool themselves in fresh water. Here they are relaxing:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=41

Do you think mining should come up in Sarvan? Dont's we rob our future generations of somethings valuable? What answer do we have to offer when he will ask us 'Why din't you protect our mountains?' Do we have a courage to look at his face:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=42

Sarwan forest will loose Forest, Villages of Sarvan and Vattadev, Will deposit huge silt in Bicholim river, will throughly disturb catchment area of Bicholim river which is an important tributories of Mandovi river.

Do ponder. Think. Then write your protests to the MoEF officials in Delhi at their email

The ministery can be contacted on

The Secretary Government of India Ministry of Environment & Forests Paryavaran Bhavan CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi - 110 003. (INDIA).

Telephone:+91-11-2436 1896,24360605,24360570,24360519 email:

Express yourself loud till your voice is heard by those in power.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Here are pictures taken on August 12, 2007 for you; this one is what Dempo mining corporations tom toms on its website as its commitment for Environment as well as claims it supplies drinking water from this lake to the Mulgao villagers. See how dirty it looks and you can guess if this water can be used for drinking purpose by humans:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=29

The mining activities are very close to Mulgao lake; in fact you can see mining in the background of the lake in this picture:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=30

Dempo's mining silt has washed into Mulgao's second lake 'Pattalle Tollem':

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=31

Mulgao's third lake 'Hagrem Tollem' used to supply was water for Paddy cultivation. Due to Dempo mining it has aquired the colour of mining silt. Have a look at this picture:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=32

This man is from Mulgao and witnessed ruin of his village due to Dempo mining:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=33

Mulgao is one more village robbed off its water, economy, ecology, agriculture and prosperity based on food security and self sufficiency. How many more villages are to be ruined this way in Goa by mining companies?

Sebastian Rodrigues

Here is a picture of Sivsorem mine of Dempo mining corporation:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=23

After anticipating protests from the villagers, Dempos are working with State government to lay water pipeline from nearby Selaulim dam. Sivsorem village has been put to innumeable hardships and their agricultue is ruined. There is also tribal population in this village.

Sebastian Rodrigues

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=22

Its Pilgao dumps are to be condemned by all people in defence of life and ecology, and asked to be removed immidiately. Though Dempos are above law in Bicholim so there is still point in demanding criminal action under section 133 Cr.PC for causing public nuisance. Police and courts are composed of citizens of India and they have constitutional duty to uphold right to life and defend environment.

Sebastian Rodrigues

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=18

Vichundrem has rich agriculture that will be smashed with mining silt and their lungs with mining dust if mining raises its ugly head here. Here is a picture of Vichundrem's agriculture:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=19

And here till few months ago stood thick forests but it has been razed to the ground to prepare for the mining trade. Have a look:

http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=20

Vichundrem villagers protests are source of inspiration to all those amongst us defending forests and people from nefarious mining trade. Their stone of protest is also stone of inspiration, stone of struggle. Keep it up!

Sebastian Rodrigues