Dear Netters, The Salmona Pariyavaran Manch and Saligao Civic & Consumer Cell held a Press Conference this evening. Arun Sawant and Ms. Malvi Tayaji, Convenor and active member of the Manch respectively, Nicholas Sequeira and Mario Mascarenhas of the Saligao Civic & Consumer Cell addressed the Press.
But the highlight of the Conference was the presence of 2 expat Saligaokars from the US - Maurice Britto (Budza) and Chris De Souza - who talked about what the spring meant to them as they grew up as children in the village and what it means to see the present wanton destruction of a childhood haven. It is great to have them fighting shoulder to shoulder with us at ground zero. While Chris is down for only a week and made the time to attend the event, Maurice is in Goa on an extended stay and is very active with the local movement. This is truly turning out to be the struggle of Saligaokars - worldwide. Besides the text of the memorandum to the Governor and a brief history of the Salmona Spring struggle, the following document was also handed out: Salmona Pariyavaran Manch Saligao Civic & Consumer Cell Press Conference Handout at T B Cunha Hall, Panjim. 8 April 2005. Why the Tourism Dept. is acquiring the Salmona Spring? Initially, the Forest Dept. was supposed to acquire it, but because of a lack of funds, the Govt. has asked the Tourism Dept. to pay for the acquisition and then hand it over to the Forest Dept. to plant trees and maintain the local biodiversity of the area. The Tourism Dept. has no intentions of developing it into a Tourist spot. This assurance has given to us by the Tourism Dept. itself, the previous CM Manohar Parrikar (who first started acquisition proceedings) and the recent Tourism Minister and MLA of Saligao, Dr. Wilfred De Souza. These authorities have also assured us that the area will be maintained as a conservation zone with its present biodiversity of flora, fauna and bird life and that no development of the area will take place. What Saligaokars hope to do with the area after acquisition: The Salmona Spring is the only natural heritage spot left in the village. It is world famous because it is on every bird-watching website in the world. Migratory birds coming here are not sited elsewhere in Goa. The villagers hope to work closely with the Forest Dept. to plant the same species of trees found in the area, in order to maintain the local biodiversity of flora and fauna. They will work with the Forest Dept. and other environmental NGOs in the state like Nisarga Nature Club, Little Tree, Southern Birdwing, Green Cross, Goa Foundation, Creepy Times to maintain the area as a conservation zone where the animal, bird, snake, reptile and insect life of the area will be protected to preserve and enhance the natural biodiversity of the area. As planned by the ex-Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the villagers hope to ask the Govt. to pump the water from the spring up to a reservoir on the hill, to then flow down by gravity to the homes of the Salmona residents. Sulabh Souchalayas are hoped to be built outside of the fenced area to help out with the toilet needs of the local community and visitors alike. Where the Government procedures stand at this moment: One file is with the Under Secretary, Panchayats, and the Director of Panchayats who are working on an injunction on the construction and revocation of the licence erroneously given by the Saligao Panchayat. At the same time acquisition proceedings are on, with the Govt. applying section 4 and section 17/4 (urgency clause) of the Land Acquisition Act, to acquire the whole Salmona Spring area as soon as possible. Details are available with the Director of Tourism, Under Secretary, Panchayats and Under Secretary, Revenue. (Ends) We are hoping all this effort pays off! Solidarity. M&M. Salmona Spring: The whole story @ http://salmonaspring.swiki.net -- .................................................... muriel & mario, 4/4 tabravaddo, opp. st. anne's chapel, saligao. bardez. goa. 403511. tel: 0832-278276 / 2409999 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''