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Dec 7-8: Seminar 'Jesuits in India', at XCHR-Porvorim
Ongoing: Exhibition of paintings, Art Chamber, Calangute www.goa-art.com
Dec 14: Customer Relationship Mgt Seminar, Xaviers, Mapusa Tel 2262356
Dec 13: Dance workshop, with Jaap Van Maanen. Tel 2275733 BB Cafe
Dec 09: Martial arts for women and travellers. Tai Chi, Karate, BB Cafe
Jan 18-19: Int't kite carnival at Morgim beach, Pernem
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Note: Some events continue beyond the starting date mentioned above
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Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service
& circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network
(GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660
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Mixed Reactions To Golf Course At Vanxim Isle
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Vanxim, a tiny island hidden in the River Mandovi basin is
destined to be in the limelight soon with the news of a
proposed golf course to be set up by a private firm
beginning to set the villagers aflutter.
Sandwitched between the two biggest riverine islands
of Chorao and Divar, Vanxim lies almost forsaken, except
by the villagers, who return daily from work or elsewhere.
Inured as they are to the crawling pace of the two ferry boats
which take them from island and home, the impact of the news
is just sinking in.
Reliable sources say that a golf course and an amusement park
is proposed on the island, which gets its tap water supply on
alternate days, and that, too, irregularly. Some drinking water wells
which were sourced earlier have been polluted by inflow of saline water.
Summer heightens the crisis as the few remaining wells dry up,
according to a villager.
However, the villagers are yet to seriously discuss the project.
Says Domnic D'Souza, a panch of Vanxim, "There is a mixed
reaction to the project. As the island has remained backward,
some villagers seem to think that it would create jobs. But we
have to consider the ecological aspects. And experts
need to guide us."
From one end to the other, the land is marshy and dotted with trees.
The land will have to be leveled and the level may have to be raised
for a golf course.
Villagers do not fear displacement much as a population of less
than 150 is scattered largely around the church on the south-eastern
end of the island.
But while the files for the project are moving in the corridors of power
and details are kept a tight secret, the immediate concern for them
is the requirement of water for the golf course.
"The situation will be different in future," says D'Souza,
"and water may become more costlier than petrol".
"Fertilisers and pesticides used after the project is set up
will pollute our wells," says a government employee from the village.
But they are prepared to discuss the pros and cons of the project
before they take any decision. A meeting is being planned but
the sources could not specify the exact date.
"We have to talk and find out about the implications
of the project," a source said.
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GOMANTAK TIMES 30/11/02 page 1
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GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE
Documentation + Education + Solidarity
11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507
Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
website: www.goadesc.org
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Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy
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***** CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2002 *****
Dec 14 - New England Goans, Wellesly, MA, USA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
+1 (603) 673-3762 (deadline for tickets Dec 5th)
Dec 14 - Goan Association of New Jersey, Inc., Somerset, NJ, USA
+1 (732) 599-7644
Dec 21 - GOA-LA, Los Angeles, CA, USA, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
+1 (714) 821-6168 (late fee on tickets after Dec 10)
Please contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] to advertise a party.
This service is FREE!
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